A not-for-profit law firm whose staff provides clients living in poverty with free representation for civil legal issues.

Our Mission

To achieve equal justice for poor people, to work with clients to promote social justice, and to address the effects and root causes of poverty.

What We Do

GHLA represents individuals and families to protect their legal rights and advocate for pragmatic, fair solutions to the problems they face. Resolving individual legal problems case by case is the core of our work, and we represent thousands of people each year. Because we can't represent everyone who needs a lawyer we also provide community legal education to help people advocate for themselves. Our staff works with the community to identify and address broader issues and concerns. Our advocacy informs government decision-makers about how laws affect people with few resources and strives to make government programs provide the help they promise. Our collaborative and flexible approach ensures our services are efficient and meet current needs.

History

Since 1958, GHLA has represented thousands of clients striving to protect their legal rights and secure their basic human needs. Over the past 50 years, our lawyers have also brought cases that have achieved significant systemic results for the low-income community. For example, CARC v. Thorne closed an institution that warehoused people with mental retardation, and established homes for them in the community; Pitt v. Hartford Housing Authority provided housing choices for dislocated tenants; and Raymond v. Rowland requires the State to accommodate people with disabilities who seek certain government services. One example of our effective policy advocacy is GHLA's state and national leadership on family violence and poverty issues.

A program that began 50 years ago as a one lawyer office in the basement of City Hall has grown to a full-service law firm, persistent and effective in its mission.

Our Priorities

Client needs drive our priorities. Through our advocacy we seek to:

• Protect family violence victims from violence, increase their economic stability, and pursue federal legal options for battered immigrants.
• Prevent homelessness and keep people in homes that are decent and affordable.
• Secure quality, accessible health care.
• Help workers get and keep jobs and benefits that support their families.
• Maintain government benefits for those who can't meet their needs through employment.
• Advocate for equitable statewide child support policies, as they affect low-income families.
• Protect the health, safety and independence of senior citizens and allow them to live safely in their homes.
• Increase opportunities for children to receive a quality education.
• Promote the health, privacy, and rights of people living with HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Legal Network (ALN), a collaborative effort of CT's legal services programs, is housed at GHLA.

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Our Funding