Consistent with our mission statement, Community Legal Services (‘CLS’) is committed to the elimination of poverty based inequities in the civil justice system. CLS is the only entity in our service area with such a mission.  As a result, in addition to our individual client assistance, we focus on issues and efforts that make an impact on the entire low income community.

Because CLS is one law firm with multiple offices that work together to meet the needs of our various client communities, practice areas are determined on a firm-wide basis.  Occasional county-by-county refinements are made and can be seen under the individual office listings.  Please understand that CLS’ smaller offices may not have the resources to handle all case types listed in ‘practice areas’,

Support for Families

The focus of CLS’ family law practice is to support the integrity, safety and well-being of the family.  CLS is committed to providing protection against familial violence or exploitation, particularly violence directed at the most vulnerable of family members — children and the elderly.  CLS recognizes that education is an essential ingredient to a child’s development and is committed to assisting children and their families in ensuring meaningful educational opportunities. discipline issues and of disabled children on special education issues.  Provide direct and systemic representation on issues involving homeless children.

Divorce
Child Custody
Paternity
Parenting Time
Guardianship

Maintaining Economic Stability

In order to promote the self-sufficiency of members of our client community and to protect the physical, emotional and economic health of families and individuals, CLS places a high priority on cases and matters in which income is at risk.  This priority is particularly important for those of CLS’ clients who are among the working poor and attempting to achieve self-sufficiency and overcome poverty.

Public Benefits
Health Care (state and federal programs, including Indian Health Services)
SSI (with Advocates for the Disabled)
DES Programs (including TANF, Food Stamps)
Education
SSI

Employment
Unpaid Wage Claims
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Compensation Issues
EEOC Mediation

Consumer Protection
Predatory Lending
Credit Access
Insurance
Vehicles
Education
Housing
Other exploitative lending practices
Bankruptcy

For more information on these topics, please click on the title of the brochure listed below.
Employment Law Brochure
Healthcare Benefits Brochure
Healthcare Benefits – Child
Food Stamps Brochure
Consumer Car Brochure
Statewide Consumer Law Project

Preserving the Home

A fundamental need of every person is adequate shelter.  Preservation of the home includes assisting clients to maintain affordable, healthy and safe living conditions; avoid homelessness; and avoid and correct housing discrimination and arrangements which threaten their home equity, rental or ownership status or interests.  Adequate housing contributes to stable and healthy families, consistency of educational opportunities for children and productive involvement in their own communities.  The CLS-Foreclosure Law Project provides non-litigation legal assistance to Arizona homeowners at risk of foreclosure by evaluating mortgage loans for compliance with federal and state lending statutes, as well as counseling homeowners about pre- and post- foreclosure legal procedures, rights and remedies

Landlord/Tenant problems
Subsidized Housing Issues (Section 8)
Illegal Evictions
Utility Shut-Offs
Illegal Lock-Outs
Habitability Issues
Homelessness Prevention
Fair Housing (Discrimination)
Foreclosure Issues

For more information on these topics, please click on the title of the brochure listed below.
Housing – Foreclosure Law Project Brochure
Tenant Handbook with Forms

Farmworker / Employment / Income Tax Law

CLS provides legal assistance to those whose unique legal issues are associated with the particular employment or migrant status of farm worker clients.  Language and transportation challenges create additional barriers to farm workers who need to obtain legal services.

Labor and Employment Law
Claims under Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act
Claims under Fair Labor Standards Act
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) issues
Employment-related Benefits
Workers’ Compensation

Employer Provided Housing
Conditions
Discrimination
Improper Deduction from Wages
Pesticide Issues
OSHA violations, including field sanitation
Health Care Coverage