Through community-led movement lawyering and a systemic approach, we are supporting communities and movements by bringing deep legal expertise that is grounded in - and strongly guided by - an understanding of race equity. For many years, Columbia Legal Services has represented communities facing poverty and oppression, and we use every legal tool available on their behalf.
We have a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalized or immigration status. We share a deep commitment to serve and advocate alongside our clients as we seek justice together. Our role to serve people and use advocacy that might otherwise not be available makes our work an integral part of the Washington Alliance for Equal Justice.
We have a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalized or immigration status. We share a deep commitment to serve and advocate alongside our clients as we seek justice together. Our role to serve people and use advocacy that might otherwise not be available makes our work an integral part of the Washington Alliance for Equal Justice.
Services
Get Involved
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Support our work by making a donation, or join us through volunteer, pro bono, employment, and internship opportunities. Columbia Legal Services (CLS) represents communities facing poverty and oppression, and we use every legal tool available on their behalf. CLS has a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalization or immigration status.
Advocacy Issues
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We believe that to achieve justice, all communities should have a voice in the creation and implementation of the policies, laws, and legal systems that impact them. Since our founding, Columbia Legal Services has advocated for laws that advance social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty by using the powerful legal tools of policy advocacy and class action litigation.
Economic Justice
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Economic Justice is when every person in Washington, rich and poor alike, are able to lead a productive, meaningful, and dignified life. Every person in Washington, rich and poor alike, should be able to lead a productive, meaningful, and dignified life. Individuals and families facing poverty should be protected by a social safety net that provides for basic human needs like food, housing, and health care.
Housing & Homelessness
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We work with people facing poverty to keep individuals and families housed and protected in their homes so they can thrive. People should not be punished for living in poverty. Governments should not be passing laws that punish people who are trying to survive on the streets or call their vehicles homes.
Get Help
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While we focus on impact litigation and policy reform, if you need individual services, we want to ensure you get the help you need. CLS normally only accepts impact litigation cases where the outcome of the case will typically affect a group of 100 people or more in Washington State. We use a variety of legal tools to further our mission to achieve social and economic justice for all.
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