We fight for
- Justice in the coalfields
- Miners’ Health & Safety
- environmental justice
- a better future
The Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center
is a nonprofit law firm that fights
for justice in the coalfields by:
Representing coal miners and their families on issues of black lung and mine safety
Working with grassroots groups and individuals to protect the land and people from misuse and degradation caused by extractive industries
Analyzing and advocating for policy that addresses the legacy costs of the coal industry and invests in the future of the region
Photo copyright Earl Dotter
News & Articles
- CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL: “We’re counting on Joe”: Miner Advocates Press Manchin to Support Restoring Black Lung Excise Tax in Budget Reconciliation PackageACLC helped organize and support the press conference referenced in this article. “We’re counting on Joe to take care of West Virginia,” said Kanawha County Black Lung Association President Jerry Coleman of Cabin Creek, who suffers from black lung after 37 years in the mines. Click here to read the article.
- CHARLESTON-GAZETTE: Safety Violations, Lawsuits Highlight What Advocates See As Threats to Key WV Miners ProtectionsOur executive director, Wes Addington, was interviewed for this article: “History has shown that the industry has never been able to safely regulate itself and without regular inspections, the risk of serious and fatal accidents increases.” Read the article here.
- VANDERBILT: Students Work at Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center during Pro Bono Spring Break 2022We enjoy having law students spend their spring break at ACLC to learn more about what we do and to support our casework. One student, Kyle Blasinsky, explained, “The trip was a wonderful opportunity to connect with my family’s Appalachian culture, particularly as it relates to mining, and learn more about how federal agencies exercise […]
We’ve got
your back.
ACLC works with coal miners, their families and residents of the coalfields who are seeking justice. We provide legal services free of charge.
Black lung victims and widows
Landowners trying to prevent mining
And many more.
Pursuing justice by empowering Appalachian communities
We work to prevent the rampant abuse of Appalachian communities from extractive industries by:
Uniting direct legal work with advocacy, policy, and research on issues of environmental justice and miners’ health and safety
Securing millions of dollars in black lung benefits for coal miners and their survivors
Representing hundreds of Appalachian citizens in defense of a safe and clean environment
Partnering with a broad coalition of aligned organizations to craft and support strong policy initiatives that expand protections for Central Appalachian workers and communities
