Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice – Detroit, MI

Fighting for Economic and Social Justice

The Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice is a renowned non-profit, public-interest law center based in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1991 in honor of Maurice and Jane Sugar, the center is dedicated to amplifying the voices of working people and their communities. This organization is a champion for the ‘underdog,’ providing legal support to low-income workers, community groups, and activists who are fighting against corporate abuse and government overreach. Sugar Law is nationally recognized for its expertise in the WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act), representing workers who have been laid off without proper notice. They believe that economic and social rights are civil rights, and they work tirelessly to ensure that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

• WARN Act Litigation – Securing pay for workers in mass layoff situations.
• Wage Theft – Recovering unpaid wages and overtime for vulnerable employees.
• Community Benefits – Ensuring development projects provide jobs and benefits to local residents.
• Unemployment Insurance – Advocating for workers denied their earned benefits.

Midtown Hub for Justice

The center is located in the vibrant Midtown Detroit district at 4605 Cass Ave. This location places the organization in the heart of the city’s academic and cultural center, just south of Wayne State University and near the Detroit Institute of Arts. The office is situated in a mixed-use building that is easily accessible to the community it serves. Being on the Cass Corridor, the center is part of a neighborhood with a rich history of activism and social change. The location is open and welcoming, designed to be a safe space for workers and community members to seek help and organize for their rights.

Advocacy and Education

Sugar Law Center does more than just litigate; they educate and empower. They conduct ‘Know Your Rights’ trainings and provide technical support to grassroots organizations. Their work extends to Environmental Justice, fighting against pollution in low-income neighborhoods, and Corporate Accountability, ensuring that tax-funded developments actually benefit the public. The attorneys at Sugar Law are driven by a mission to shift the balance of power. Whether challenging a discriminatory plant closing or fighting for a living wage ordinance, they are at the forefront of the struggle for economic equity. They often partner with other legal aid organizations and the National Lawyers Guild to maximize their impact.

We stand with people and communities to combat corporate power and government overreach.

Support and Services

As a non-profit, the Sugar Law Center relies on donations and grants to provide its services. They offer legal assistance to those who qualify, often at no cost. If you are a worker facing a wrongful termination or a community group concerned about a new development deal, Sugar Law is a vital resource. Their intake process is designed to identify cases that have the potential for systemic impact. While they cannot take every case, they provide referrals and resources to everyone who reaches out. For over three decades, Sugar Law has been the legal arm of the movement for social justice in Detroit and beyond.