About
What is California Indian Legal Services (CILS)?
California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is one of the oldest non-profit law firms devoted exclusively to the cause of Native American rights. Governed by a Board of Trustees selected by California tribes and tribal organizations, CILS has provided free and low-cost legal services to California tribes, tribal organizations and Native American individuals throughout the state for over four decades. Our mission is to protect and advance Indian rights, foster Indian self-determination, and facilitate tribal nation-building.
CILS maintains four offices throughout California. CILS is supported by grants, namely the Legal Services Corporation and the State Bar of California, private foundations, and individual and corporate contributors as well as contracts from a host of California's 109 federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Click here to download a copy of our brochure (opens new window), which fully explains our organization and the services we provide.
Which cases does CILS handle?
The following priorities were established by the CILS Board of Trustees to direct the staff in its allocation of resources. The CILS Board reviews these priorities annually. Please feel free to contact them with any suggestions or comments you may have regarding these priorities.
- Preserve and enhance the California Indian land base in California;
- Secure self-determination and California Indian control of reservations and reservation programs in California;
- Secure restoration and improvement of services which federal agencies have provided to Indians outside of California, but which those agencies have either failed to provide or have provided on a severely limited basis to California Indians;
- Secure bureaucratic accountability for governmental policies, actions, or omissions which significantly and adversely affect California Indians;
- Secure and protect the civil rights of Indians in California;
- Protection of Indian families and children;
- Improvement, protection and access to health care services;
- Improvement, protection of, and access to adequate housing;
- Development of Indian community economies in California;
- Protection and preservation of Indian cultural resources, sites and sacred objects;
- Participating in community advisory groups, work groups, and task forces;
- Tracking statutory, administrative, and legislative developments affecting clients and explaining to clients how these developments would impact their rights;
- To provide community education and training to California Indian communities and tribal and Indian organizations;
- Development of self-help materials and other client information and education materials;
- Development and implementation of special projects focused on critical Indian Law issues;
- To seek additional funding for CILS activities and to carry out contractual or grant obligations that are thereby incurred.
The priorities adopted specifically for federally-recognized Indian tribes that qualify under CILS Financial Eligibility Guidelines shall be as follows:
- Development and implementation of Tribal Law and Policy related to fundamental Tribal Governance projects;
- Protection of Indian families and children related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Tribal Law and Policy affecting the protection of Indian families and children;
The priorities adopted for our Eastern Sierra Legal Assistance Project (ESLAP) are as follows: Provide counsel and advice and brief services, and work collaboratively with appropriate agencies, groups and task forces, in the following areas:
- Landlord Tenant, Eviction Defense
- Public Benefits
- Debtor Protection
- Rights of the disabled
- Elder Law
- Health
- Family Law/Domestic Relations
- Employment Law
- Education
2011 Financial Eligibility Criteria
Used when determining eligiblity for free, low-income services.
Based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG)
| Number in Houshold | Monthly/Annual Gross Income1 125% | Monthly/Annual Gross Income2 200% | Assets3 |
| 1 | $1,134/$13,613 | $1,815/$21,780 | $20,000 |
| 2 | $1,532/$18,388 | $2,452/$29,420 | $40,000 |
| 3 | $1,930/$23,163 | $3,088/$37,060 | $40,000 |
| 4 | $2,328/$27,938 | $3,725/$44,700 | $40,000 |
| 5 | $2,726/$32,713 | $4,362/$52,340 | $40,000 |
| 6 | $3,124/$37,488 | $4,998/$59,980 | $40,000 |
| 7 | $3,522/$42,263 | $5,635/$67,620 | $40,000 |
| 8 | $3,920/$47,038 | $6,272/$75,260 | $40,000 |
1. 125% FPIG - for each additional member add $398/month, $4,775/year.
2. 200% FPIG - for each additional member add $637/month, $7,640/year.
3. Asset exclusions may apply.
What do I do if I believe my request for services was unfairly denied or I am dissatisfied with services I received?
If you believe your request for services was unfairly denied, please request a grievance complaint form from the office you sought assistance from or the principal office of CILS or click here for the form. If you have a grievance related to your case, please contact in writing the attorney assigned to your case. If your grievance is not resolved to your satisfaction, request a complaint form to submit to the Directing Attorney of the office where you sought assistance. If you still believe your issue(s) is not resolved, submit a copy of your completed complaint form to the Executive Director in the principal office located at 609 S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025. You can also request a copy of CILS’ grievance procedures from the principal office.
