Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.
Serving the Tennessee counties of Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton.
Hablas Espanol? Póngase en contacto con nosotros en el (901) 523-8822.
Mals 40th

Welcome to Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.’s Website
A Case For Your Support!

Harrison D. McIverMemphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) entered its fifth decade with the same commitment and determination that inspired 30 members of the legal profession in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death to coalesce around a shared vision to establish an organization whose single purpose was to provide a means by which the legal problems of the poor could be addressed.

Today, MALS continues that tradition of “excellence in legal advocacy,” as a non-profit, public service law firm committed to provide the highest quality legal assistance possible to the most vulnerable residents of our community. 

Even with a dedicated staff, it cannot meet the overwhelming demand for legal assistance today. The challenges are more acute because the widening of the “justice gap” is exacerbated by the economic woes of our time. The recent census reveals that more than 57 million individuals live at or below the poverty line, representing more than a 14 million increase since the 2000 Decennial Census.

The 2011 Campaign for Equal Justice exceeded its $325,000 goal and reached an unprecedented milestone of raising over $350,000.We thank George “Buck” Lewis and the Campaign Cabinet for its tireless efforts.  Even that amount is not enough. We had to cut expenses, predictably, in the personnel area. We are down 10.5 full-time equivalent positions caused by a loss of over $300,000 entering 2012 fiscal year, largely due to nearly a 20% reduction in federal funding. Consequently, your support in 2012 through your volunteerism (pro bono) and gifts are more crucial today than ever.

What can you do?  Please volunteer your time willingly and generously contribute to the campaign. To give a tax-deductible gift, select “Contribute Now” at the top of the page.

Again, welcome to our website.  We hope you find it informative and leave with a better understanding of the various activities and important services we provide our community.
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Welcome to the website of
Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.

Over forty years ago in the wake of the tragedy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death, that beset the Memphis, Shelby County community and indeed the world, 30 members of the legal profession in Memphis, Shelby County, created the Neighborhood Legal Service Project. Two years later, in 1970, the NLSP gave way to the chartering of Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS).

Today MALS is the principal provider of civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and the elderly in Southwestern Tennessee, anchored by  Memphis, Shelby County,  with three other counties, Tipton, Fayette, and Lauderdale, comprising its four-county service area. MALS has two offices – one in downtown Memphis, which serves Shelby County, and the Covington office that serves the three smaller rural counties. Our case acceptance priorities include issues relating to Family and Children; Housing and Real Property; Consumer Issues , Individual and Civil Rights; Health and Income Maintenance and Seniors.

With more than 200,000 of the most vulnerable residents in our service area eligible for assistance, MALS is dedicated to helping those who cannot afford legal counsel navigate the legal system in order to safeguard their rights under the law.

Please read to learn more about MALS, the services we provide and how you can volunteer and/or support the work we do on behalf of those who otherwise would have no voice.



MALS