Legal Aid of Western Michigan
(LAWM) is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal advice and
representation to low-income individuals in a broad range of areas. LAWM
provides services in consumer cases, family law, housing problems, public
benefits, tax, education, and Individual rights. LAWM
is funded by federal, state and local government sources, foundations as well
as private donations from lawyers and individuals. There is an eligibility
criterion that clients have to meet before they can be represented or receive
legal advice. Legal Aid of Western Michigan participates in the Access to
Justice Campaign to increase resources for civil legal aid for low-income
households in Michigan. Additionally, LAWM has a pro bono program and local
attorneys in the area are encouraged to participate by providing free legal
representation and counsel for clients who qualify. LAWM’s mission is to secure
justice for low-income families in the community and it is easy to see how
passionate the attorneys are about the work they do for the clients.
This past
week I attended LAWM’s annual Fundraiser luncheon where there were client
speakers that testified to the amazing representation they received from staff
attorneys at LAWM and local attorneys. It has been one week, approximately four
days since I have been interning for Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM) and
for some reason, it feels like I’ve been working for 2 weeks or more. Because
the fellow intern I work with, as well as the employees at LAWM, have been so
welcoming and friendly, I feel at home in LAWM. LAWM is also located in
downtown Grand Rapids, so the courthouse is only a ten-minute walk from the
office. It’s been interesting to walk with supervising attorneys to the
courthouse while discussing cases and the outcomes of hearings are so on. One
of the best parts about this internship for me so far has been going to the
courthouse with my supervising attorney and discussing the complicated aspects
of the law that has not yet been decided by the Supreme Court in Michigan. I
can sense so far that interning at LAWM is going to be a dynamic experience and
I am looking forward to the rest of my time here.
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