We envision a community that prioritizes love, compassion, and equity over judgment, shame, and division.

Our Mission: We fight for justice in the courts, care in the community, and dignity in the world.

Kalamazoo Defender is a non-profit public defender office, providing our clients who were appointed a public defender zealous legal representation with a holistic lens.

Racism, trauma, and other systemic barriers often contribute to our clients’ legal situations. We know that the cycle of injustice they have experienced will repeat itself within the court system if no action is taken. This cycle results in extended sentences, repeated charges, and continued individual and familial trauma.

Kalamazoo Defender works to break these cycles for our clients by reducing barriers to needed services. Our highly skilled legal team provides legal representation within the court system. Our multidisciplinary care hub, The Village, facilitates client engagement with social services.

Kalamazoo Defender’s Non-Discrimination Policy

Kalamazoo Defender is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all individuals. We uphold a policy of equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination in any form against employees, employee applicants, directors, board members, interns, clients, volunteers, vendors, or any other individuals associated with our organization. We prohibit discrimination based on race, including hairstyles associated with race such as braids, locs, twists, afros, cornrows, Bantu knots, etc., sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, including clothing associated with religion such as hijabs, turbans, etc., national origin (ancestry), citizenship status, age, height, weight, pregnancy, ability, socio-economic background or circumstances, military or veteran status, marital or partnership status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, or body art, including piercings and tattoos.

We are committed to maintaining a workplace and environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and will comply with and aim to surpass antidiscrimination policies set forth by local, state, and federal laws protecting against such actions.

Kalamazoo Defender values diversity and strives to create an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and full authentic selves into the space.

Our Values

Universal human worth

Solidarity in community

Anti-racism

Equal justice

Transformational leadership

Need legal assistance?

Counsel & Advocacy Law Line (CALL) is Lakeshore Legal Aid’s attorney-staffed, statewide phone service. CALL offers legal advice and legal aid referrals to seniors and other people with low incomes. Call 1-888-783-8190 to find out if they can help you.

Depending on where you live, CALL can help figure out if you qualify for free legal aid in your area. Eligible clients can speak with CALL lawyers who can give free advice, brief service, and referrals to help solve legal problems. Ineligible callers are offered private bar and social service referrals. CALL attorneys regularly resolve consumer, education, employment, health, and housing disputes, secure and protect public benefits, and guide self-represented litigants through domestic, housing, and other civil actions. Use the Guide to Legal Help or call 1-888-783-8190 to find out if they can help you.