Lawyers for Civil Rights

Lawyers for Civil Rights works with communities of color and immigrants to fight discrimination and foster equity through creative and courageous legal advocacy, education, and economic empowerment. In partnership with law firms and community allies, we provide free, life-changing legal support to individuals, families, and small businesses.

VISION: Everyone has equal opportunity to thrive and advance.

CORE VALUES:

Collaboration and Partnerships

We believe in building bridges between diverse constituencies, forging strong partnerships with community allies and law firms, and exercising leadership in areas where we have unique expertise.

Respect for Clients and Communities

We promote the well-being of our clients and their communities. We respect them, their dignity, and their self-determination.

The Power of Public Engagement

We value public engagement as a means of amplifying the voices of the communities we serve.

Diversity

We believe the civil rights movement must be diverse in every respect. We value the insight and credibility that diverse perspectives bring to our organization and long-term effort for social change.

Courage, Commitment, and Action

We value the courage and commitment shown by our staff, partners, and clients to take on challenging issues, often against established interests, in our shared mission to foster equal opportunity and fight discrimination.

Creative Use of the Law to Promote Equality

We value creativity and expertise in the use of our legal system to achieve social justice and equality.

HISTORY:

Lawyers for Civil Rights was formed in 1968 in the midst of riots in Northern cities, the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the findings of the Kerner Commission report (concluding that the nation was “moving toward two societies, one black, one white – separate and unequal”). We celebrated our 50th Anniversary in 2018.

“Boston must become a testing ground for the ideals of freedom.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1965)