The William E. Morris Institute for Justice is a nonprofit public interest law organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, founded in 1996 to protect the legal rights of low-income and vulnerable Arizonans through impact and class-action litigation, administrative and legislative advocacy, technical assistance, and training for legal services programs.
Focuses on systemic issues affecting low-income residents including access to the courts, public benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, cash assistance), landlord/tenant and fair housing, domestic violence, healthcare access, immigrant rights to public benefits, unemployment insurance, re-entry and fair chance employment policies, and related legislative and regulatory reforms.
Primarily funded by foundation grants, contracts and grants from legal foundations (e.g., Arizona Bar Foundation), contributions from individuals and sponsoring law firms, and occasional program-specific grants from national foundations and nonprofits.
Works closely with Arizona's legal services programs and community groups; frequent partners and sponsors have included the Arizona Bar Foundation and regional law firms such as Osborn Maledon, Snell & Wilmer, Jones Skelton & Hochuli, Rothstein Donatelli, Fennemore and others; notable affiliated individuals include Executive/Litigation Director Drew P. Schaffer and Of Counsel Ellen Sue Katz.
Non-profit public interest legal organization (statewide legal advocacy program / 501(c)(3))
