Legal Information
Campus, local, and state legal services for a variety of legal concerns
On Campus
Chance at Childhood Clinic - (517) 336-8088 or chanceatchildhood@ssc.msu.edu
The Chance at Childhood Program mission is to promote and protect the well-being of children and families through integrated social work and law education and advocacy. The program, a collaboration between Michigan State University Graduate School of Social Work and Michigan State University School of Law, is designed to protect and serve the rights of children. Lawyers and social workers collaborate to strengthen the knowledge base, practice and advocacy skills to meet the needs of children, youth, families and communities.
MSU College of Law Housing Clinic - (517) 336-8088
The Housing Law Clinic at the Michigan State University College of Law is a multifaceted law school clinic committed to providing the low to moderate income residents of Michigan with legal advocacy on housing and related consumer problems or issues in a variety of ways. Our topic areas for advocacy and reform include: landlord-tenant, housing discrimination, public housing, subsidized housing, land contracts, land use, foreclosures, affordable housing, and homeownership. Our manner of advocacy is direct assistance, legal advice and counsel, research and scholarship, education, media outreach, policy development, and public programming. Our students work under the supervision of experienced legal professionals and educators. They will always work to ensure the best outcome for those who seek our assistance.
MSU College of Law Tax Clinic - (517) 336-8088, option 4 or taxclinic@law.msu.edu
The MSU College of Law Alvin L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic is a free legal-aid clinic that provides legal services to low-income taxpayers who are in controversy with the Internal Revenue Service and educational services relating to tax matters to those for whom English is a second language. We will arrange to meet with clients at other times on an as-needed basis. The Tax Clinic also provides important tax-related legal services to indigent Michigan taxpayers.
ASMSU Legal Services for Students - (517) 353-3716 or dsdls@asmsu.msu.edu
The Student Legal Services department of ASMSU offers free, professional legal counsel to all undergraduate students. Students can receive advice or representation in court for landlord-tenant problems, criminal misdemeanors, drunk driving and other traffic offenses, debtor- creditor problems, and other civil concerns. Our lawyers have been working for Students' Rights for the last twenty years and know how to support the students of Michigan State University.
MSU Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA)
VITA is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides income tax return assistance and preparation at no cost to taxpayers. Student volunteers help low-income individuals and families in the Greater Lansing area complete federal, state, local, and/or foreign tax forms.
Community Resources and External Links
Michigan Legal Help
The Michigan Legal Help website was created to help people who have to handle simple civil legal problems without a lawyer. There are articles you can read to learn about a specific area of the law and toolkits to help you prepare to represent yourself in court. Some forms are completed automatically once you answer simple questions. The Michigan Legal Help website does not provide legal advice, and it is not a substitute for having a lawyer. If you need more help, you can search the website for a lawyer or community services in your area.
Legal Services of South Central Michigan - (517) 394-3121 or 888-783-8190
Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) provides free legal advice and representation in certain civil cases to approximately 10,000 low income persons and senior citizens (regardless of income) each year. LSSCM provides general civil legal services to low-income and senior citizens of Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw Counties. LSSCM also provides legal services to senior citizens of St. Joseph County.
Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. - (517) 487-1755 or 800-288-5923
The independent, private, nonprofit organization designated by the governor of the State of Michigan to advocate and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities in Michigan. MPAS services include information and referral, short-term assistance, selected individual and legal representation, systemic advocacy, monitoring, and training.
Sixty-Plus Elder Law Clinic - (517) 372-3484
The Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic provides legal help to persons 60 years of age or older primarily in Ingham, Eaton or Clinton county. There are no income guidelines for this program, however priority is given to people in greatest social and economic need and those with public benefit problems.
Elder Law of Michigan - (866) 400-9164 or info@elderlawofmi.org
A nonprofit charitable organization that promotes and protects the rights, health, and economic well-being of older adults and people with disabilities by providing information, advocacy, legal advice and professional services. ELM provides information, legal advice, training, and professional services.
The Dispute Resolution Center of Central Michigan - (517) 485-2274 or mediate@rsccm.org
Provides conciliation, mediation, and other forms of dispute resolution pursuant to 1988 PA 260, the Community Dispute Resolution Act.
