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Micronesian Legal Services Corporation

Saipan, United States
Joined November 2020

We promote access to justice and government and institutional accountability throughout Micronesia, using community engagement, collaboration, and legal advocacy as our primary strategies.

Presence in: Guam (United States), Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau
Focus: Community / Customary Land Rights, Family, Gender-based violence, Generalist Legal Services, Labor & Employment, Other, Right to Information, Traditional / Customary Justice, Women's Rights

At MLSC, we believe in a Micronesia where all people are treated fairly and with respect; where government and institutions are accountable even to the most vulnerable among us; where those who need legal services the most get the highest quality assistance to better their lives; where justice and fairness for all, even the poor, is the standard not only in our courts but in every community; and where communities thrive under democratic principles.   

 

Our mission is to promote equal access to justice and to provide high quality civil legal assistance to low income people.  MLSC improves the lives of the people of Micronesia by helping them solve important legal problems; and strengthens communities through advocacy.     

 

MLSC has offices throughout Micronesia, including Palau, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (Saipan) in each of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae), and in the Marshall Islands (Majuro and Ebeye).  Our central administrative office is located in Saipan.   

 

We have a total staff of 50, including secretaries, trial counselors, paralegals, attorneys, and our administrative staff.  

  

MLSC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governed by a 9-member board of directors, with at least one director representing each of the regions in which we have offices.  

  

MLSC never charges for our services to the community.  All our services are always free.  MLSC is supported by by several sources, including each of the governments in which we have offices, the U.S. Legal Services Corporation, other institutional and government grants, and by individual donations. 

 

The primary strategies MLSC uses for implementing these priorities include provision of direct legal services to low income persons, free of charge; collaboration with agencies and institutions to promote access to justice; and outreach and community education.