Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Civil Rights Legal Advocates in Detroit Since 1937
Founded in 1937, the National Lawyers Guild Detroit & Michigan Chapter has served as a cornerstone of social justice advocacy, uniting lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers to prioritize human rights and ecosystem protections over property interests. Our chapter has a storied history of defending civil liberties, supporting labor movements, and challenging systemic racism through legal representation, education, and grassroots mobilization. We pioneered the Legal Observer Program in 1968, which documents police actions during protests to protect demonstrators' rights. Our work spans anti-war efforts, prison abolition, immigration advocacy, and environmental justice, reflecting an unwavering commitment to equity and accountability.With decades of experience, we provide Know Your Rights trainings, legal support for protesters, and strategic litigation to dismantle oppressive systems. Our team of seasoned attorneys and volunteers brings expertise in civil rights law, mass defense, and international human rights frameworks. As part of the oldest racially integrated bar association in the U.S., we maintain authority through our consistent advocacy for marginalized communities. Our trustworthiness is rooted in transparent operations, a documented 85-year legacy, and adherence to ethical legal practices that center community needs over corporate interests.
Services
Legal Observer Program
Civil Rights Litigation
Immigration Resources
Legal Education
Mass Defense
Policy Advocacy
Know Your Rights Training
Prisoner Support
Environmental Justice
International Solidarity
Details
- Year established: 1937
Highlights and features
- We offer 85+ years of experience in civil rights litigation and social justice advocacy.
- Our Legal Observer Program has documented protests since 1968 to protect demonstrators.
- We provide free legal support for marginalized communities and protest-related cases.
- Our team includes seasoned attorneys with expertise in constitutional and international law.
- We maintain transparent operations through documented policy advocacy and public reporting.
Services
Legal Observer Program
Trained volunteers document police conduct during protests to protect demonstrators' rights. This service helps build legal cases against unconstitutional policing and provides real-time support during civil disobedience actions. Our observers maintain privilege over collected evidence to strengthen defense strategies.
Civil Rights Litigation
We litigate cases challenging police brutality, racial discrimination, and constitutional violations. Our attorneys have decades of experience in federal courts, focusing on systemic reform through strategic lawsuits that set legal precedents for marginalized communities.
Immigration Resources
We provide legal guidance for immigrants facing deportation and advocate for policy changes through litigation. Our resources include emergency response networks and educational materials about immigrant rights during law enforcement encounters.
Legal Education
We offer Know Your Rights workshops and publish educational materials about constitutional protections. Our programs help activists understand legal boundaries during protests and teach communities about their rights during police interactions.
Mass Defense
We coordinate legal defense for groups arrested during demonstrations, including bail assistance and court representation. Our mass defense strategy combines collective legal resources with public advocacy to protect social movement participants.
People
Sara Habbo
President
Civil rights attorney with 15+ years of experience in constitutional law and social justice advocacy. Focus areas include police accountability and immigrant rights litigation.
Mitchell Bonga
Vice President
Labor law specialist with expertise in workers' rights and union representation. Active in local organizing campaigns for economic justice.
Lisa Carlson
Legal Observer Coordinator
Coordinates protest monitoring programs and manages volunteer legal observer training. Experienced in direct action support and police accountability documentation.
Bill Goodman
Board Member
Veteran civil rights attorney with landmark cases in racial discrimination and free speech litigation. Founding partner of a pioneering integrated law firm.
Naomi Zikmund-Fisher
Treasurer
Legal financial strategist managing organizational resources for social justice initiatives. Focuses on equitable funding distribution for grassroots programs.
Questions
What legal services does the NLG Detroit Chapter provide?
We specialize in civil rights litigation, protest support, immigration advocacy, and systemic reform litigation to protect human rights and ecosystems.
Do you offer free legal assistance?
Yes, we provide free legal representation for protest-related cases and support marginalized communities through volunteer-based programs.
Are you affiliated with the national NLG organization?
We are the Detroit-Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, operating under their mission since 1937.
What training programs do you offer activists?
We conduct Know Your Rights workshops and legal observer training to protect demonstrators during public actions.
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