Legal Action of Wisconsin - Madison, WI

Free Civil Legal Aid for Low-Income Residents

Access to justice should not depend on how much money you have. Legal Action of Wisconsin is a non-profit law firm dedicated to providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families in Madison and throughout southern Wisconsin. Since 1968, this organization has been a lifeline for those facing critical legal problems that threaten their basic human needs, such as housing, food, and safety. If you are struggling financially and need to find a lawyer for a civil matter, Legal Action of Wisconsin may be able to provide the high-quality representation you need at no cost.

Core Practice Areas

Legal Action of Wisconsin focuses on civil law areas that stabilize families and communities. They generally do not handle criminal defense cases.

• Housing Law: Defending against evictions, addressing unsafe housing conditions, and helping preserve housing subsidies to prevent homelessness.
• Family Law: Assisting victims of domestic violence with restraining orders and divorce, and handling custody matters where safety is a concern.
• Public Benefits: Helping individuals access and maintain essential benefits like FoodShare, badgerCare, SSDI, and W-2.
• Employment Barriers: addressing legal issues that prevent people from working, such as driver's license recovery and expungement of arrest records (to improve employability).
• Senior Law: Providing specialized legal services for the elderly, including consumer protection and elder abuse prevention.

Commitment to Justice

The attorneys at Legal Action of Wisconsin are experts in poverty law. They not only represent individual clients but also engage in systemic advocacy to improve laws and policies for all low-income Wisconsin residents. The firm operates with the belief that everyone deserves equal justice under the law, regardless of their ability to pay.

How to Get Help

Services are income-dependent, and potential clients must go through an intake process to determine eligibility. The Madison office, located on Williamson Street, serves as a hub for Dane County residents. If you need to hire an attorney but cannot afford one, Legal Action is the primary resource for civil legal aid in the region. They also coordinate with volunteer lawyers to expand their capacity to help.