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Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

We Fight for Justice in the Coalfields

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About Us

About Us

who we are

The Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center is a nonprofit law firm that fights for justice in the coalfields by using a high-impact three-pronged strategy for change: litigation, advocacy, and organizing.

We represent coal miners and their families on issues of black lung and mine safety, we work with grassroots groups and individuals to protect the land and people from misuse and degradation caused by extractive industries, and we fight for policy that supports a more equitable future in the region. In fact, we are the only law center in the country working on this combination of issues, and it is the powerful synergy between strategic litigation, frontline policy efforts, and on-the-ground organizing that makes our work so effective.

Mission

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 and by working with grassroots groups and individuals to protect the land and people from misuse and degradation caused by extractive industries. The Center handles individual cases and engages in strategic litigation and policy work in the areas of mine safety and health, environmental protection, legacy costs of extractive industries on the people, land and economy of the Central Appalachian region, and sustainable energy.

Photo copyright Earl Dotter

Black lung gathering
Whitesburg

Current Funders

Support for the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center in 2022 comes from the following foundations:

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation 

New York Community Trust 

Chorus Foundation 

Rx Foundation

Patagonia 

Just Transition Fund/Rockefeller Family Fund 

Kentucky Colonels

Moving Forward Together

Environmental Data Fund

Coal miner

History

ACLC was founded in 2001 as a public interest law firm providing free legal representation for coal miners and their families in black lung and workplace discrimination cases and individuals, families, and communities dealing with the environmental effects of resource extraction in Central Appalachia. From the beginning, we understood that to have the greatest impact, our direct legal representation needed to strengthen and complement advocacy and organizing efforts in our region. 

We began as three attorneys and have slowly and thoughtfully expanded our work and our staff.

Meet the Staff
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Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

317 Main St, Whitesburg, KY 41858

(877) 637-3929 Toll Free

(606) 633-3929

© Addison Williams Hero Image

Recent Posts

  • Eastern Kentucky Leaders Urge Commonwealth’s Federal Delegation to Safeguard Key Health Policies and Investments in Region  
  • Black Lung Bulletin Vol. 3 Issue 2
  • Amid Chaos Caused by Funding Cuts, Layoffs, and Policy Rollbacks, Appalachian Leaders Release Appropriations Priorities for Congress
  • Assault on Coal Miners Continues as MSHA Halts Enforcement of Life-Saving Silica Dust Safeguard
  • ANNOUNCEMENT: ACLC Welcomes Caroline Rubens As New Fundraising Officer

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