Columbia Legal Services – Olympia, WA

Systemic Advocacy by Columbia Legal Services

Serving Olympia and Washington State

• Advancing Equity: Columbia Legal Services (CLS) advocates for laws that advance social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty. We envision a Washington State in which every person enjoys full human rights and economic opportunities.
• Impact Litigation: Unlike traditional legal aid that focuses on individual cases, CLS engages in broad-scale impact litigation and legislative advocacy to dismantle systems of oppression and create lasting change.
• Community-Led: Our work is grounded in the communities we serve. We collaborate with community organizations to identify systemic barriers and develop legal strategies to address them.

Key Focus Areas

• Worker Justice: We fight for the rights of low-wage workers, particularly in the agricultural industry. We address issues such as wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and discrimination to ensure dignity and fair treatment for all workers.
• Immigration Justice: CLS advocates for the rights of immigrants and refugees, challenging unjust detention practices and policies that separate families. We work to ensure that immigration status does not determine a person’s access to justice.
• Ending Mass Incarceration: We are committed to reducing the use of incarceration and ensuring humane conditions for those who are confined. Our work challenges the racial disparities inherent in the criminal legal system.
• Housing Equity: We advocate for policies that protect tenants and prevent homelessness, fighting against discriminatory housing practices and ensuring access to safe and affordable housing.

Why Columbia Legal Services?

• Systemic Change: We tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice. Our victories in court and the legislature have improved the lives of thousands of people across Washington State.
• Strategic Expertise: Our attorneys are experts in complex litigation and policy analysis. We use our legal skills to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and hold powerful institutions accountable.
• Statewide Reach: With offices in Olympia, Seattle, Kennewick, Wenatchee, and Yakima, we are positioned to address legal issues affecting communities throughout the state.

Contact Information

• Get Involved: Join us in the fight for justice. Visit our website to learn more about our current cases and how you can support our mission.
• Olympia Office: Our Olympia office is centrally located downtown on Capitol Way South, near the legislative heart of the state.