Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing free, high-quality legal advice and representation to eligible low-income and marginalized clients across Northern Michigan. Specializing in civil legal matters, the organization has been bridging the justice gap for over 50 years through a dedicated team of 15 attorneys and support staff operating across six offices.
With a focus on stabilizing living environments and protecting vulnerable populations, LSNM prioritizes cases involving domestic violence, housing instability, elder abuse, and access to essential benefits. The firm does not handle criminal matters or fee-generating civil cases, and services are tailored to meet urgent legal needs through advice, document preparation, negotiation, and court representation.
Services Offered
- Securing and maintaining Personal Protection Orders
- Divorce and custody cases for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors
- Custody actions when children are at risk
- Eviction defense
- Fighting unfair housing practices
- Securing and maintaining federal housing subsidies
- Challenging mortgage foreclosures and predatory lending practices
- Defending land contract forfeitures and option contracts
- Mobile home park litigation
- Tax forfeiture defense
- Advising and assisting with home purchases
- Debt collection harassment and lawsuits
- Repossession defense
- Financial exploitation cases
- Credit counseling
- Garnishment defense
- Student loan collection issues
- Unfair sales practices
- Contract and warranty issues
- Public benefits assistance (cash assistance, disability, food programs)
- Healthcare benefit access
- Simple wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives for seniors
- Education-related legal issues (suspension, expulsion, IEPs, Special Education services)
- Elder law services for vulnerable low-income adults aged 60+
LSNM serves 36 counties across Northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, with offices in Alpena, Escanaba, Gaylord, Houghton, Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Traverse City, and provides out-county assistance for several additional regions. Services are available in English, and the organization is HUD-approved for housing counseling.
