LEGAL AID AND DEFENDER NEWS

2006-11-27 LEGAL AID AND DEFENDER PURCHASES DETROIT BUILDING FOR NEW HEADQUARTERS

DETROIT – Detroit-based Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and largest providers of legal services to low-income people, has announced its purchase of a six-story 92,000-square-foot building located at 613 Abbott St. in downtown Detroit.

The building will become Legal Aid and Defender’s new headquarters when it takes occupancy in October 2007, housing most of its 180 attorneys and support staff who provide a wide range of civil legal services, as well as represent defendants in criminal matters in state and federal courts. The organization serves some 20,000 clients annually.
The property includes two parking lots with 74 spaces adjacent to the building and a single-story 6,500-square-foot annex building.

Currently, Legal Aid and Defender occupies six floors of the Penobscot Building at 645 Griswold St. in downtown Detroit. The organization also has offices in Clinton Township, Pontiac and Flint, and on the campus of Wayne State University. The organization serves clients in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, including the city of Detroit, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Located on the western edge of downtown at the corner of Abbott and Third streets, the building was purchased from the Walbridge Aldinger Company, a prominent Detroit construction firm that currently occupies all but two floors of the building.
Deierdre L. Weir, executive director of Legal Aid and Defender, stressed that the decision to relocate was based on the organization’s strategy to build long-term financial security, the desire to own its own headquarters and to accommodate growth.

“We have grown significantly in recent years and have outgrown our space in the Penobscot Building,” Weir said.
“About two years ago, with our continuing growth, it became apparent that it made more economic sense to own our own building, rather than continue leasing space,” Weir added. That’s when the organization began looking at properties for sale in the downtown area suitable for the organization, she said.

“We wanted to stay downtown because the courts and other services are here, and we looked at several options before the Walbridge property became available,” Weir said. The location is ideal for Legal Aid and Defender for several reasons, she said.
“The most critical advantage is that it will turn a large annual rent payment into a mortgage payment, and this will create growing equity, eventual ownership of a major downtown property, and free up funds to serve more clients,” Weir said.
The new location is more convenient for clients and staff, according to Weir. On-site parking will be free for clients, visitors and staff, and affordable metered parking is available on adjacent streets, she said.

“Having our own building in a highly visible location will be easier for clients to find, and it will give the organization a higher profile in the community,” Weir said.
The building will also consolidate all employees in a central location rather than have them scattered on six different floors of an office tower, she added.
“The 613 Abbott building will be operationally more cost-efficient because our different law groups and departments can share common meeting rooms, reception areas and technology,” said Weir.

The move will also benefit legal services in Macomb and Oakland counties, and western Wayne County, all part of the organization’s service area, according to Weir. “The efficiencies created by being in our own building will add capacity that can be used to improve service to clients in Macomb and Oakland counties,” she said.
The 613 Abbott building was completely renovated in 1989, giving it a contemporary look and feel inside and out. Sunshine and daylight stream down its new, six-story atrium, lending a bright, airy mood to all floors.

Legal Aid and Defender was formed in 1909 as the Legal Aid Society by the Detroit Bar Association. Today it is among the five largest legal services providers of its kind in the nation, and one of the few that provides both civil and criminal representation. Anyone seeking legal services can call (877) 964-4700 or visit www.ladadetroit.org.
Legal Aid and Defender is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization funded by the Legal Services Corporation, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Michigan State Bar Foundation, City of Detroit, Wayne County, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Administrative Office of U.S. Courts and private donations.
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