Legal Action of Wisconsin and Judicare Legal Aid Merge, Creating Wisconsin’s Largest Statewide Civil Legal Aid Firm
Written by: Legal Action of Wisconsin
Legal Action of Wisconsin and Judicare Legal Aid announced that the two long-standing nonprofit law firms have officially merged, uniting their staff, programs, and resources to form a single, statewide legal aid organization dedicated to providing exceptional civil legal services and structural change advocacy, free of cost, to those most in need across Wisconsin.
Effective January 1, the merger brings together decades of experience serving clients in housing, family law, public benefits, consumer protection, legal barriers to employment, reentry, veterans’ benefits, elder rights, victim rights, Tribal courts, and other critical areas of civil and administrative law. By joining forces, the new, merged firm —operating under the name Legal Action of Wisconsin—will expand statewide reach, streamline access to services, and strengthen its capacity to respond to urgent and emerging legal needs.
“This merger allows us to better meet the needs of clients, no matter where in Wisconsin they live,” said Deedee Peterson, Legal Action’s Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we are building a stronger, more coordinated equal justice safety net.”
Legal Action of Wisconsin and Judicare Legal Aid have collaborated for many years on many initiatives and impact litigation and advocacy. The merger formalizes and builds upon that collaboration.
“In many ways, this is a natural next step,” said Peterson. “Merging allows us to bring our strengths together in a way that is more strategic, more efficient, and more responsive to the communities we serve.”
Judicare’s service area covered northern Wisconsin and will be served by the same staff and programs under the banner of Legal Action of Wisconsin as Legal Action’s Wausau office. Intake for this service area is paused while we transfer systems and train staff. Intake for this area will begin via Legal Action of Wisconsin on January 12. To access our intake system, you can call us at 855-947-2529 or complete an online application at legalaction.org/get-help/.
“Legal problems don’t stop at county lines—and now neither do we,” said Attorney Danielle White, President of the Legal Action Board of Directors. “One statewide entry point for people seeking the services we provide strengthens our ability to ensure low-income people can get the legal help they need when they need it.”
The new, merged firm will operate under the existing name and brand of Legal Action of Wisconsin. The work and legacy of Judicare Legal Aid will continue within the new structure, informed by the region’s deep community relationships.
“The vital work that made Judicare a pillar in the Northwoods will continue,” said Attorney Beth Ann Richlen, former Executive Director of Judicare Legal Aid and now Chief Strategy Officer at Legal Action. “Our history, our relationships, and our commitment to northern Wisconsin and tribal communities statewide will enhance Legal Action’s work just as their statewide reach and expertise will expand and enrich services in the Northwoods. This truly is a merger of strengths.”
With offices in Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Racine, and now in Wausau, and with staff co-located in shelters, courthouses, Tribal Courts, technical colleges, and community agencies, Legal Action will continue offering services embedded in communities across the state.
The merged statewide firm will be led by a multidisciplinary executive team representing both legacy organizations:
- Deedee Peterson, Chief Executive Officer
- Larry Dupuis, Chief Litigation and Advocacy Officer
- Rachel Fox Armstrong, Chief External Relations Officer
- Catherine Hoeft, Chief Financial Officer
- Jennifer Johnson, Chief Culture and Engagement Officer
- Beth Ann Richlen, Chief Strategy Officer
- Nicole Zimmer, Chief Operations Officer
Together, the team will lead the organization into its next chapter—one focused on expanding access to justice, elevating statewide advocacy, and serving more people, more effectively, for decades to come.
“Our clients now face greater and greater legal, social, and economic barriers to equal justice,” Peterson concludes. “With this merger, our law firm will break down these barriers.”
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