A community lawyer develops the capacity, knowledge and confidence of people to self-advocate on issues of public concern while simultaneously increasing accountable, transparent, and accessible government. Community lawyer services are free.
What does a community lawyer do?
Helps community members advocate on self-identified issues of public concern.
Combines traditional and non-traditional lawyering tools and skills that include public education, community organizing, coalition building, public policy analysis, media outreach, advocacy, and as a last resort on select causes, litigation.
Answers general questions about government operations and how members of the public can impact government decision-making.
Policy analysis and advocacy to identify and remove barriers to the democratic process and implement policies and practices to make government accountable, accessible and transparent.
Dismantles barriers to participation in the democratic process that result in systemic changes within a community, a region, and the state.
What is the service area for assistance to individuals and community groups?
East Bay communities within California's Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
What are the cost of services?
Services are free! CAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization supported 100% by tax deductible contributions and foundation grants. Government funding is not accepted due to the nature of our work. Donate today!
How long has the Community Advocacy Center been operational?
CAC opened in 2016! While the organization is new, the community lawyering advocacy model is more than two decades old, inspired by these community lawyering organizations:
Citizen Advocacy Center, Elmhurst, IL. www.citizenadvocacycenter.org. Founded in 1993 by Theresa Amato with founding funding and continued support by the Shafeek Nader Trust for the Community Interest.
Office of the Community Lawyer, Winsted Conn. www.communitylawyer.org. Opened in 1989 and a project of the Shafeek Nader Trust for the Community Interest.
Community Advocacy Center
The Community Advocacy Center (CAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan community based legal organization dedicated to building democracy. CAC uses a community lawyer model to empower community groups to be confident and competent civic participants and pursue government accountability, transparency, and accessibility.