Community Legal Services, Inc.

Community Legal Services is a non-profit law firm committed to increasing fairness in the civil justice system by advocating, litigating, and educating on behalf of Arizona's most underserved communities.

Incorporated in 1952, Community Legal Services' (CLS) purpose is to ensure access to justice for persons who cannot afford legal counsel but have critical, civil legal problems impacting their basic survival needs. Staff attorneys resolve legal problems in the practice areas of Family, Housing, Consumer, Employment, and Health Care and Economic Law. We provide legal services to low-income, program-eligible residents of Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, Yuma, and La Paz counties. As we enter our 67th year as the largest provider of no-cost civil legal aid to Arizona's most underserved communities, we are committed to increasing both our services and our community footprint in the upcoming year
With more than 700,000 individuals living in poverty throughout our five-county service area, our services are needed now more than ever. Often those who find themselves at Community Legal Services' door are in the midst of a life-changing event including eviction, job and wage loss, and disability. In addition, we often provide assistance to those who are escaping the horror of domestic violence, by providing not only legal assistance but personal empowerment through self-representation.

Testimonials

Roseanne* is lucky to be alive. The father of her four-year-old daughter, with whom she had a four- year relationship, broke through a deadbolt lock, entered the room where she and her daughter were sleeping. He dragged and beat Roseanne severely, then proceeded to strangle her, followed by stabbing her in the stomach. His actions were premeditated- to avenge the Order of Protection Roseanne obtained against him. Their daughter witnessed the whole assault and was deeply traumatized.

While Roseanne was treated and healing from her injuries, the father was arrested and convicted of attempted murder and other serious criminal charges. In a related civil action, the father hired an attorney to file a lawsuit, as Arizona's Constitution provides a right for parents to maintain both their parental status and legal decision-making rights, in addition to obtaining limited parenting time while they serve time in jail for criminal convictions.

Following a full day trial, a legal team from Community Legal Services Yavapai County office successfully fought the father's request and obtained an order denying the father any form of parenting time. Despite the horror of the father's actions, it was still very difficult to convince the Court to render a verdict denying any parenting time, due to the rights provided in the Arizona Constitution.

This case was the first of two trials in the past six months in which CLS' Yavapai office represented victims of domestic violence in court to deny severe abusers parenting time and ensure safety and security for their families.

Your support helps to ensure women like Roseanne have access to legal services in order to keep her and her family safe.

**names changed to protect privacy