About Us
We’re a not-for-profit law office providing free civil legal services to low-income people and seniors in the Hartford area. We represent individual clients before courts and government agencies, and groups of clients in complex litigation. We provide community legal education to empower people to know their rights and advocate for themselves. We advocate to improve systems and policies.
GHLA attorneys work to improve the circumstances for people living in poverty and strengthen our community. We increase safety from violence, preserve housing, stabilize income, improve health, and expand educational opportunities. We understand that more people of color and women live in poverty because of structural racism and sexism, and that bias can reduce options and opportunities. To address the harm, we focus on priorities and strategies that advance equity and reduce poverty. Sometimes law is the only thing that makes a difference.
For those living in poverty, we advocate to:
- Help tenants avoid homelessness
- Preserve decent and affordable housing
- Enhance the safety of family violence victims
- Increase opportunities for meaningful public school education
- Increase health equity
- Increase access to employment opportunities
- Seek federal immigrant legal protections for family violence victims
- Preserve government benefits and access to healthcare
- Protect the health, safety, and self-determination of seniors
We Strive To:
Address the Most Critical Need of Eligible Clients
Community legal needs exceed our capacity to help. GHLA integrates community perspectives with legal analysis to identify priorities.
Provide High Quality, Efficient Legal Services
Our lawyers adopt practices and standards that support effective legal representation. We treat clients with dignity and respect. We consider all feasible solutions and remedies. We offer legal information and guidance when we cannot provide representation.
Promote Equality of Access
We provide eligible people with an equal opportunity to obtain service on priority matters.
Maximize the Long-Term Benefits of Program Advocacy
We choose cases and public policy issues that offer long-term systemic benefits to those living in poverty.
Coordinate and Expand Resources to Meet Priority Client Needs
We work with attorneys, social services, community groups, and others to provide more priority legal services. We use technology and innovation to increase the number of clients we serve.