Austin Justice Coalition launches inaugural MLK Day free legal clinic, partnering with Tolbert Law Firm
A new MLK Day legal-access event in East Austin
The Austin Justice Coalition (AJC) is holding its inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Day free legal clinic on Monday, January 19, 2026, offering no-cost legal guidance for community members facing legal challenges. The clinic is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at AJC’s offices, located at 1605 E. 38 1/2 Street, Austin, Texas 78722.
AJC is partnering with Tolbert Law Firm for the event. Organizers describe the clinic as a space for confidential, people-first support and access to legal guidance, with services designed to be delivered in a welcoming environment.
How the clinic fits into AJC’s broader work
AJC is a Black-led Austin community organization that focuses on policy reform, advocacy, and community organizing, with stated goals that include improving quality of life for Black, Brown, and marginalized individuals and addressing issues tied to over-policing, gentrification, and unequal access to opportunity. The organization says the legal clinic is part of its Justice Access Support Initiative (JASI), framed as an effort to reduce barriers that can prevent residents from obtaining legal help.
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: 1605 E. 38 1/2 Street, Austin, TX 78722
Cost: Free
Timing alongside Austin’s MLK Day civic events
The clinic takes place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that also anchors a slate of public events in Austin. The city’s annual MLK Community March and Festival is set for the same day, Monday, January 19, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the south steps of the Texas State Capitol and continuing with a festival at Huston-Tillotson University from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
By scheduling the legal clinic on MLK Day, AJC adds a service-focused component to a day that traditionally combines commemoration with civic participation. The clinic’s afternoon hours place it after the start of the march and during the window when many residents are off work due to the holiday.
What residents should know before attending
AJC has presented the clinic as an opportunity for community members to receive legal guidance through private conversations. The organization has not publicly specified topic areas or eligibility requirements in the event announcement. Residents planning to attend may want to confirm any appointment needs, required documents, and the scope of assistance available during the 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. operating hours.
The event is advertised as a free legal clinic offering confidential support and access to legal guidance, hosted at AJC’s offices on January 19, 2026.