On May 1st, LADA President Michelle Johnson was proud to accept a Law Day proclamation from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the incredible team at Legal Aid and Defender Association in Detroit. Law Day is a moment to reflect on the power of the law to protect rights, expand opportunity, and...
A single mother of two lived in unsafe conditions, including broken windows patched with cardboard and a peeling bathtub that posed a risk to her children as they were cutting their feet on the fragments. Feeling hopeless after poor communication with her landlord, she reached out to LADA for help. LADA discovered the landlord spoke...
What would surprise people about your job? A Lot of what we do at Continue Reading……
When Margaret walks into her newly repaired apartment today, she can breathe easily knowing her landlord finally fixed the dangerous mold issues that were affecting her children’s health. This victory didn’t come easily – it came through the dedicated support of Legal Aid and Defender Association (LADA) Detroit, where our attorneys worked tirelessly to enforce...
A 65-year-old Veteran endured severe stress and health issues from an infestation in her rental unit, which made it impossible for her to cook or live comfortably. After withholding rent to force the landlord to act, she faced an eviction case. Her concerns were compounded by ongoing disputes with a neighbor and minimal responsiveness from the property management.
When a winter storm in January 2024 severely damaged her home, a 64-year-old woman living alone faced grave repair issues. A fallen tree on her roof caused water to leak into her bedroom light fixture, creating a fire hazard that forced her to avoid the room for over a month. Additional dangers included a blocked back door and a broken front screen door. These problems caused her significant distress and prevented her from being able to live in her home without fear for her health and safety.
Recognition of the critical need for legal services among our most vulnerable individuals, remains deeply valued in Michigan’s legal community as a professional obligation and – for many – a personal mission.
Our client, who was elderly and confined to a wheelchair, lived in a subsidized housing complex on the second floor.
