History
In 2009, Thomas Harvey, Michael-John Voss, and John McAnnar co-founded ArchCity Defenders with a goal to prevent and end homelessness by providing free legal services to the poor and those experiencing homelessness. The model of holistic legal advocacy was pioneered by the Bronx Defenders in New York and includes providing civil and criminal legal services as well as connecting clients to social services all under one roof.
ArchCity Defenders began to address the gap in St. Louis-area legal services by providing free and holistic legal representation to individuals who would otherwise not have access to a public defender or legal aid attorney. Individuals with adequate means usually do not have a problem obtaining legal assistance, but asserting civil rights in the courts is virtually impossible for those without funds to hire a lawyer. At ArchCity Defenders, we aim to reverse this denial of basic civil rights by offering legal services to those who cannot otherwise afford them or access them in our community.
Recognitions
2022
- Mound City Bar Foundation Award
2021
- ClayCo Juneteenth Fund Award for Civil Rights
- Women’s Foundation of Greater STL Women in the Workplace Small Organization Honoree
2020
- Legal Champion Award
Blake Strode, Executive Director
- Changemakers in the Greater St. Louis Area
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater St. Louis Area Chapter
2019
- St. Louis City NAACP Ina M. Boon Social Justice Award
- Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition Award
Political Advocacy - FOCUS St. Louis Emerging Alumni Award
Blake Strode, Executive Director - Bellow-Charm Champion of Justice Awards
Emerging Leader Award, Blake Strode, Executive Director - Missouri Lawyers’ Media Legal Champion Award
Lee Camp, Staff Attorney
2018
- Thomas Merton Award
The Thomas Merton Center - Empower Missouri Outstanding Organization Award
2017
- Generate Health Alderman Gregory Carter Community Champion
- Missouri Lawyers’ Media Up & Coming Lawyer
Jacki Langum, Director of Advocacy - Harvard Club of Saint Louis Community Service Award
2016
- The Ethical Society of St. Louis Ethics in Action Award
- The National Benevolent Association Injustice Anywhere Award
- Public Justice Institute Trial Lawyers of the Year Award
Thomas Harvey and Michael-John Voss, Co-Founders - FOCUS St. Louis What’s Right with the Region Award for Improving Racial Equity and Social Justice
2015
- The Missouri Bar YLS Pro Bono Award
Stephanie Lummus, Managing Attorney
2014
- National Association of Legal Aid and Defenders (NLADA) New Leaders in Advocacy Award
- Riverfront Times’ Best of St. Louis Best Lawyers Award
2013
- Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (MACDL) Atticus Finch Award Honorees
2012
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) Spirit of Justice Award Honorees
2011
- Saint Louis University School of Law Public Interest Law Group (PILG) Excellence in Pro Bono Award
- The Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame
Michael-John Voss, Co-Founder
2010
- The Missouri Bar Diamond Level in Pro Bono Hours
Michael-John Voss, Co-Founder