Skagit Motel Mass Eviction Case Moves Forward
NJP just cleared a major hurdle in Millerd v. City of Sedro-Woolley — our federal civil rights lawsuit over the City’s mass eviction of more than 40 households from the Skagit Motel. This ruling keeps the case alive and gives NJP a roadmap for future litigation.
After 5 Years of Advocacy, Thurston County Expands Court Access
Since COVID, Thurston County Superior Court’s only option for important and urgent civil matters—like fee waivers or stopping illegal evictions—was a limited phone line open just 30 minutes a day. Starting in 2021, Olympia field office and Olympia Eviction Prevention Unit (EPU) staff flagged the issue, and began pushing for change, such as rule changes, proposed along with our partner Sound Legal Aid, in both 2025 and 2026. EPU’s on-the-ground experience working to prevent evictions was crucial to that advocacy.
$725K Settlement to Tenants for Wrongful Eviction
Northwest Justice Project (NJP) and Rivercrest Law PLLC announced today that claims brought by Ms. Aaron Allen and the Estate of Kathleen Allen have been settled for $725,000.
Beyond Merit: What Right To Counsel Reveals About Case Selection
Any operation where demand far outstrips supply must make difficult choices. A business will increase their prices or scale up to meet demand. Legal aid has the same problem: no shortage of poor people in need of legal services and a very static level of the supply of providers of those services," Scott Crain writes. Legal aid works around this problem by deciding who gets representation based on "merit" — essentially whether a case is likely to be won — but this harms vulnerable clients, lets opposing attorneys take advantage of unrepresented people, and allows entire areas of law to erode.
NJP Clients Share the Case for Legal Aid with Senator Murray
On May 7, Senator Patty Murray sat down with NJP clients and their attorneys in Seattle — listening, firsthand, to what’s at stake as federal funding for legal aid faces another potential round of cuts.
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Constitutional Confusion: Washington’s Weapons-Surrender Statute
It has a turbulent history. Read this article, co-authored by NJP Managing Attorney Karla Carlisle, to learn about the law requiring abusers to surrender their firearms when they have a protection order issued against them. Years of confusion over its constitutionality left the law unenforced in many counties—with deadly consequences for some survivors. Two 2025 […]
U.S. Sen. Murray Joins NJP for Roundtable on Legal Aid Funding
NJP clients Anita Belcher and Alan Myers, Sen. Patty Murray, NJP Exec. Director Abby Daquiz. On May 7, Senator Patty Murray visited Northwest Justice Project's Seattle office to hear directly from legal aid attorneys and clients about what is at stake as federal funding for civil legal aid again faces the prospect of significant cuts. […]
Legal Aid in the Movies – Tow: “Give me back my damn car!”
Tow opened to a packed house in Seattle on March 20 at SIFF — and the audience was ready for it. The film tells the true story of Amanda Ogle, played by Rose Byrne, who fought back after her car — her only shelter — was towed while she was in a job interview. Without […]
Opinion: If funds for legal aid in WA are cut, victims pay the price
By Mary Welch, Annalise Martucci and Riddhi Mukhopadhyay
This Opinion was first published in The Seattle Times
It happens nearly every day across Washington: A spouse or partner is attacked, then in seeking protection, is left with a growing list of unanswered questions. What will be needed for court? How can they keep their kids safe? Can they break their lease? At $300 an hour, a lawyer is unaffordable. Should they just return to the abuser?
This is one of thousands of experiences for survivors across the state. For many, the most urgent need is free legal advice and representation. Low-income victims of crime rely on civil legal aid to secure safety, stability and a path forward. Whether this will continue to be available is a question before the Legislature. Lawmakers must decide whether to fund $21.38 million to maintain basic Crime Victim Services or slash funding by half.
Read more.
OPINION: WA long-term care residents should have the same rights as renters
In his opinion piece, Scott Wilson, a 66-year-old assisted living resident in Yakima, Washington, describes himself as “a fighter” – and he’s had to be. Facing two eviction attempts from his facility, Wilson turned to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and attorneys at the Northwest Justice Project, who provided legal counsel to help him navigate the appeal process.
He won both times. But he knows most residents aren’t so fortunate, noting that “many of us don’t have family or friends to help us learn about our rights and navigate the burden of appealing.” Wilson has joined the Long-Term Care Ombuds and NJP in suing the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to strengthen eviction rules for residents in long-term care, urging that “the state can do better to support older adults who are facing eviction and homelessness.”