The Campaign for Justice supports six legal aid providers in the state of Maine.
Each of the providers handles specific kinds of cases or represents specific kinds
of clients. Each of the organizations works closely with the others so that together they
seek to provide a comprehensive, integrated network providing access to justice for
as many low-income and disadvantaged Maine citizens as possible.
Pine Tree Legal Assistance:
Provides free legal services for civil legal problems
to low-income people (generally those whose household incomes are at or below
125% of federal poverty guidelines) and victims of domestic violence. Thousands
of people receive some form of legal help annually; most assistance involves problems
with housing, food, medical care, income maintenance, and protection from domestic
violence.
Legal Services for the Elderly:
Provides free civil legal services for socially
and economically needy Maine seniors, age 60 and older. Thousands of Maine seniors
rely on LSE for representation, assistance and information on a broad range
of legal issues, including physical abuse and financial exploitation, nursing
home eligibility and other long term care issues, consumer fraud, evictions,
debt collections, powers of attorneys and health coverage matters.
The Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project:
provides free legal information and limited legal representation by volunteer
attorneys for low-income people with a variety of civil legal problems.
The Maine Equal Justice Partners:
Provides low-income people with free legal representation (1) in the courts through class action lawsuits and other cases likely to have significant impact on their basic needs and fundamental rights, (2) before administrative agencies in rulemaking proceedings and on issues affecting the administration of public programs, and (3) in the legislature with regard to bills related to public programs. MEJP also conducts research and provides outreach and education opportunities to low-income individuals on legal and public policy issues that affect their daily lives.
Immigrant
Legal Advocacy Project: Provides free or low-fee immigration law
and related legal assistance to low-income Maine residents.
The Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic:
Provides free legal assistance to financially
qualified individuals on a variety of civil, administrative and criminal matters
in Cumberland, York, Androscoggin, and Sagadahoc Counties. The Clinic is part
of the University of Maine School of Law. Clients are represented by third-year
law students. The Clinic has been able to provide roughly half of each graduating
class with the opportunity to represent low-income Maine residents.
