Special Projects

CLS maintains some special projects to address the legal problems of specific populations or major problems low-income people face. 

Institutions Project:  The Institutions Project (IP) has existed in CLS and its predecessor organizations for over 30 years.  IP represents people confined in Washington’s jails, prisons, juvenile detention facilities, mental health facilities, and facilities for people with developmental disabilities.  This work has focused on conditions of our clients’ confinement, discrimination, sentencing and placement, alternatives to institutionalization, and access to courts, as well as issues related to rehabilitation, re-entry, and reductions in recidivism.  We represent these clients to gain humane treatment and the protections our Constitution and laws require for them, and to assist them in creating strong, safe communities.  

Economic Justice Project:  This project, which started in 2006, is currently supported by a grant from the Marguerite Casey Foundation.   This project’s work was developed by consulting with community members and other stakeholders regarding what consumer issues are of greatest concern to the low-income community, and as a result is focusing on issues regarding fraud during the negotiation and purchase of automobiles.  The project will address these issues through community education, possible litigation, and representing clients in trying to change governmental policy.