About Legal Gateway
Legal Gateway is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to justice, strengthening civic understanding, and connecting communities in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Established in 2025, Legal Gateway builds on nearly two decades of pro bono legal service, civic engagement, and collaboration with the federal judiciary and legal community throughout this District. Legal Gateway was founded on a simple belief: everyone deserves meaningful access to justice, regardless of their ability to afford an attorney.
Our Story
Our story began in 2005, when attorney Tracy Morris founded the Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic with the support of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, the King County Bar Association, and the U.S. District Court. The doors opened in 2006 with a single monthly session at the King County Law Library, where volunteer attorneys provided free legal advice to individuals facing federal civil rights issues. What started as a small pro bono initiative grew into an important community resource with a singular mission: to move each client who stepped through the doors one step further than when they walked in. As demand increased, the Clinic expanded into federal courthouse facilities in Seattle and Tacoma, bringing together volunteer attorneys and legal assistants to help individuals navigate an often complex and intimidating legal system. Over nearly two decades, the Clinic has assisted thousands of individuals facing employment and housing discrimination, disability rights issues, police misconduct, prisoner rights concerns, and other federal civil rights matters.
In 2025, the King County Bar Association recognized the Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic with its Pro Bono Award, honoring its longstanding commitment to providing meaningful legal assistance to underserved communities.
A New Chapter: Legal Gateway
In 2025, Legal Gateway was established to provide an independent, sustainable home for the Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic and build upon the programs and partnerships developed over nearly two decades. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Legal Gateway is positioned to strengthen existing services, expand into underserved communities, and develop new initiatives that promote access to justice and civic understanding.
Our work is rooted in the belief that the legal system should be accessible, understandable, and responsive to the people it serves.
Our Programs
Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic
Our flagship program provides free, limited-scope legal advice to individuals who have filed, or are considering filing, federal civil rights claims. Through consultations with volunteer attorneys, clients receive guidance about their legal rights, available options, and potential next steps.
Civics Education
Legal Gateway supports programs that help students and community members better understand the Constitution, the federal judiciary, and the role of the courts in our democracy. Through initiatives such as the Western District of Washington’s Civics Contest, we help foster civic knowledge and engagement.
Our History
Nearly Two Decades of Opening Doors
The story of Legal Gateway begins with the Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic, founded to help people understand and navigate the federal legal system when they cannot afford an attorney. The Clinic’s history is one of sustained community need, dedicated volunteers, and enduring partnerships.
2003–2004 | Identifying an unmet need
A Federal Bar Association task force examined the challenges faced by people representing themselves in federal court. Around the same time, attorney Tracy Morris’s volunteer work with the King County Bar Association’s Neighborhood Legal Clinics helped shape the idea for a federal civil rights clinic.
2006 | The Clinic opens in Seattle
With support from the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, the King County Bar Association, and the United State District Court, Morris launched the Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic. Six volunteer attorneys staffed the early program, which began with one monthly session at the King County Law Library.
2012 | Growing to meet demand
As requests for help increased, the Clinic expanded its Seattle operations and developed dedicated space in the federal courthouse. The program continued to recruit volunteer attorneys and legal assistants to serve more people.
2014 | Expanding to Tacoma
The Clinic held its first Tacoma session in January 2014, extending free, limited-scope legal assistance to more people in the Western District of Washington.
2020 | Volunteers at the heart of the mission
The article “A Collective Voice” highlighted the commitment of the Clinic’s volunteer attorneys and legal assistants and the importance of ensuring that people who might otherwise go unheard receive practical guidance and compassionate attention.
2020–2024 | Continuing service through the pandemic and beyond
The Clinic quickly transitioned to remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, maintaining a connection to clients while in-person courthouse services were disrupted. In person sessions resumed in 2024 with a robust remote clinic focus, marking a period of extraordinary growth.
2025 | Recognition and a new nonprofit
The King County Bar Association presented the Clinic with its 2025 Pro Bono Award. That same year, Legal Gateway was established as an independent nonprofit to sustain the Clinic and expand access-to-justice and civic education initiatives.
2026 | Building the next chapter
Legal Gateway quickly secured recognition as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and is now focused on expanding and strengthening Clinic services, building new community partnerships, and increasing access to justice throughout Western Washington.
The people behind the work
From the beginning, the Clinic has depended on volunteer attorneys, legal assistants, court partners, and community organizations. Their commitment has helped thousands of people understand their rights and identify possible next steps.
“Our volunteers ensure that the Clinic’s mission of providing equal access to justice is carried out with compassion, one client at a time.”
— Tracy Morris, “A Collective Voice” (2020)
Where we go from here
Legal Gateway carries this history forward through the Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic, civics education, and partnerships that help more people understand and engage with the federal justice system.