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NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM
JUSTICE
An ideal that demands every person have their day in court.
An ideal that demands that we build structures that promote equity and compassion. For over 55 years, Neighborhood Legal Services Program (NLSP) has been making that ideal a reality, providing essential legal services to our city’s most vulnerable populations and working to change the structures that keep people vulnerable. NLSP accomplishes this work by literally locating ourselves in the communities where our clients live and work, so that we too have a stake in transforming those communities. Our three offices are located in the most underserved areas of the District, including two east of the Anacostia River. We also partner with community-based organizations including libraries, job training programs and community centers to bring legal information and resources into the community through interactive workshops and on-site intake.
SOUTHEAST OFFICE 2412 Minnesota Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020 FAR NORTHEAST/DEANWOOD OFFICE 4609 Polk Street NE, Washington, DC 20019 Intake for new clients is conducted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Call 202.832.6577 or come to one of our offices during intake hours. No appointment is necessary. On-line intake is available 24 hours a day on our website.
NLSP.org | 202.832.6577
Engaging Communities. Eliminating Barriers. Securing Justice. :
An ideal that calls for the very best from us as individuals and as a society.
HEADQUARTERS 64 New York Avenue NE, Suite 180, Washington, DC 20002
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SERVICES
PARTNERSHIPS
NLSP is a nonprofit law firm with 24 attorneys operating out of three DC neighborhood offices and providing free legal services to DC residents whose household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG). In some cases, we may be able to serve people with a household income at or below 200% of the FPG. NLSP provides both brief advice and extended representation in the following practice areas:
NLSP recognizes that legal problems do not occur in a bubble: they are tied to a host of problems related to poverty. So we partner with community-based organizations across the District to help low-income individuals and families navigate these challenges. NLSP also partners with clients, residents and other stakeholders on a number of neighborhood-based initiatives. Some of our community partners are listed below:
• Consumer Law: stop predatory and deceptive debt collection, reduce or eliminate student loan debt, and remove the barriers that credit becomes to obtaining housing and employment. • Employment Law: fight discrimination cases and wage theft, while also identifying and overcoming legal barriers to gaining or maintaining employment, such as problems with background checks and criminal records. • Family Law: represent clients in divorce, custody, qualified domestic relations orders and domestic violence matters and prevent unnecessary removals of children from their families and placement in foster care. • Housing Law: force landlords to abate substandard housing conditions, challenge improper barring notices, and prevent displacement, especially in cases of discriminatory activity, illegal rent increases, and inequitable development. We also fight evictions and assist limited-equity housing cooperatives. • Public Benefits and Veterans’ Benefits: obtain vital government benefits which have been denied, such as cash assistance (TANF), food stamps (SNAP), and Social Security disability benefits (SSDI and SSI). We also help veterans obtain VA benefits and discharge upgrades. • Wills and Powers of Attorney: help low-income District of Columbia residents prepare wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives.
Latino Economic Development Center
The AFL-CIO’s Building Futures job training program
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? If you or your firm have expertise or interests in any of NLSP practice areas, please give us a call! NLSP is a great place for associates to get critical litigation experience. Please contact the Director of Private Attorney Initiatives at (202) 800-2158.
Pro bono initiatives, call (202) 800-2158. NLSP relies on contributions and grants to fund the work we do. Please support NLSP’s mission to provide access to justice by making a donation to support our work on behalf of low income DC residents.
nlsp.org/donate More ways to donate:
East of the River Casehandlers
Stomp Out Slumlords
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