Montana Legal Services Association – Billings, MT

Access to Justice for All Montanans

Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) is a non-profit law firm dedicated to empowering low-income individuals and families by providing free civil legal assistance. Established in 1967, MLSA is the primary provider of legal aid in the state, ensuring that poverty is not a barrier to justice. The Billings office serves as a critical resource for residents of Yellowstone County and Eastern Montana, tackling the legal issues that impact the most fundamental aspects of life: housing, safety, and financial stability. 🏛️ The organization is funded by grants and donations, allowing them to offer their services at no cost to eligible clients.

protecting Homes and Families

MLSA focuses on high-priority civil legal needs where legal intervention can make a life-changing difference. Their core practice areas include:

• Housing Stability: Representing tenants in eviction proceedings, fighting illegal lockouts, and addressing unsafe living conditions to prevent homelessness.
• Domestic Violence: assisting survivors of abuse with Orders of Protection, divorce, and custody matters to help them achieve safety and independence.
• Public Benefits: helping individuals secure and maintain essential benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and Social Security Disability.
• Consumer Protection: defending against predatory lending, debt collection harassment, and assisting with bankruptcy when necessary.

Community Outreach and Self-Help

In addition to direct representation, MLSA provides extensive self-help resources and legal education to the community. They operate the MontanaLawHelp.org website and conduct outreach clinics to reach rural and underserved populations. The Billings team works closely with local social service agencies and volunteer attorneys to expand their impact. MLSA also has a specific focus on Native American Law, providing culturally competent legal aid to tribal members on and off reservations. 🤝

Downtown Billings Office

The Billings office is centrally located on North Broadway, making it accessible to those in need. Due to high demand, the office operates with specific intake hours and encourages potential clients to apply for services by phone or online. MLSA stands as a pillar of the legal community, fighting tirelessly to uphold the promise of equal justice under the law.