Civil Program

Our Civil Program provides access to civil legal counsel for Shelby County residents.

Our Civil Program provides access to civil legal counsel for Shelby County residents. We charge sliding scale fees based on household income, provided they have an income between 125% and approximately 300% of the federal poverty level as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. After meeting with a Community Legal Center staff attorney at our weekly legal clinic, clients are either assigned to a staff attorney or placed with a volunteer attorney. Those whose income falls below our guidelines are referred to Memphis Area Legal Services. Those whose income exceeds our guidelines are referred to private attorneys.

For every $1 spent on civil legal representation, CLC generates an estimated $2.40 in poverty‑fighting benefits.

“In the United States, without a right to counsel, tenants are represented by lawyers around 3% of the time on average, whereas landlords have legal representation in 84% of cases.”

Cases the Community Legal Center handles

  • Landlord/Tenant disputes
  • Non-contested guardianships
  • Contract disputes
  • Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives, and other Probate Matters
  • Non-Contested divorces
  • Non-Contested adoptions
  • Social Security Appeals
  • Elder abuse cases
  • Conservatorship

Cases the Community Legal Center does NOT handle

  • Criminal Cases
  • Employment cases
  • Civil rights violations
  • Bankruptcies
  • Insurance
  • Personal injury
  • Medical malpractice
  • Copyright cases
  • Child support
  • Child custody
  • Disability cases
  • Social Security Claims
  • Contested divorces
  • Mediation