Public Justice Center – Baltimore, MD

Systemic Change and Legal Advocacy for the People

The Public Justice Center (PJC) is a prominent civil legal aid organization located in downtown Baltimore. Founded in 1985, the PJC is dedicated to fighting poverty and racial inequity through legal advocacy. Unlike a traditional private law firm, the PJC operates as a non-profit, using the law as a tool to effect systemic change and protect the rights of the underrepresented. Their team of dedicated attorneys and advocates works on high-impact litigation, legislative reform, and direct legal representation for low-income clients. They focus on areas where the law can have the greatest impact on social justice, such as housing, employment, and education. The PJC is a voice for those who are often silenced, working to build a just society where everyone has access to fundamental human rights and economic security.

Critical Areas of Advocacy

The Public Justice Center focuses on several key projects. Their Human Right to Housing Project defends renters facing eviction and fights against unsafe living conditions, advocating for fair housing laws. The Workplace Justice Project represents low-wage workers in cases of Wage Theft, overtime violations, and workplace discrimination, ensuring that employees are paid what they are owed. They also have an Education Stability Project, which works to keep homeless children and those in foster care in school and challenges discriminatory disciplinary practices like suspension and expulsion. Additionally, the PJC’s Health and Benefits Equity Project advocates for access to healthcare and safety net services for Maryland’s most vulnerable residents. They are also leaders in the movement to establish a ”Civil Right to Counsel,” ensuring that low-income individuals have legal representation in critical civil cases.

• Housing Justice: Defending tenants against eviction and slumlord practices.
• Workers’ Rights: Recovering unpaid wages and fighting exploitation.
• Education Rights: Protecting the right to education for homeless and disciplined students.
• Civil Rights: Advocating for racial equity and access to justice.

Free Legal Assistance for the Community

As a legal aid organization, the Public Justice Center provides its services free of charge to eligible clients. They operate with a deep commitment to race equity and anti-racism, actively working to dismantle the systemic barriers that trap people in poverty. Because they focus on systemic impact, they cannot take every case, but they provide crucial representation in cases that have the potential to change laws and policies. They offer services in multiple languages, including Spanish, to serve Baltimore’s diverse population. If you are a tenant facing eviction, a worker who hasn’t been paid, or a parent fighting for your child’s education, the Public Justice Center may be able to help. They also provide valuable self-help resources and know-your-rights training to the community.

‘Using legal tools to challenge poverty and racial inequity in Maryland and beyond.’

The PJC’s office is located at 201 North Charles Street, in the heart of the city. While they primarily conduct intake over the phone, their central location places them close to the courts and government agencies where they advocate for their clients. Contact the Public Justice Center to learn more about their services and eligibility requirements.