About Community Legal Aid Society

Our Mission

Community Legal Aid Society champions equal access to justice by providing high-quality, free civil legal services to people with low incomes in King and Snohomish counties. We believe that the legal system should work for everyone — not just those who can afford an attorney.

Founded in Service

Established in 1972 during a wave of legal services expansion following the Equal Access to Justice Act, Community Legal Aid has grown from a two-attorney storefront to a 60-person organization with specialized practice units in housing, family law, immigration, and public benefits. We have successfully argued landmark cases before the Washington State Supreme Court that have protected tenant rights and expanded access to state benefits programs.

Our Practice Areas

  • Housing: Eviction defense, habitability, lockouts, and housing discrimination
  • Employment: Wage theft, discrimination, and unemployment appeals
  • Family: Domestic violence protection orders, custody, divorce
  • Immigration: DACA, asylum, family petitions, removal defense
  • Benefits: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, and Social Security appeals

Impact by the Numbers

5,200+
Clients served annually
92%
Favorable outcomes
$4.1M
Benefits secured for clients