• Who We Are

    At the Public Health Law Center, we believe everyone deserves to be healthy. We are law and policy experts who work with advocates and professionals around the country to protect health through policy change. Our skilled team of attorneys and policy analysts helps local, state, national, and Tribal partners develop, implement, and defend evidence-based laws and policies that reduce health disparities and improve public health.

     

    Image sharing PHLC has 38 employees, was established in the year 2000, and had 44 grants in the year 2023

  • What We Do

    We provide legal technical assistance, which is a mix of services that include legal research and analysis, educational resource development, policy drafting assistance, litigation support, and training. We have a national reputation for timely and informed legal acumen, quality research, collaboration, accessibility, and a passionate commitment to health equity. We do not lobby or provide direct representation.

     

    Image sharing that PHLC answered over 785 assistance requests, over $5,251,654 grant revenue awarded, and over 240 organizations assisted in 2023

  • Health Equity

    The Public Health Law Center is committed to co-creating healthier, more equitable communities with our partners and allies. Laws and policies have contributed to significant disparities by failing to protect, and often actively harming, groups who are socially and economically marginalized. As professionals working with law and policy, we strive to center equity across our work in support of policy change that leads towards a more just and equitable world.

    For more about health equity at the Center, click here

     

    AATCLC and PHLC Staff Photo

     

  • We have a warm, long-standing relationship with the Public Health Law Center working to reduce health disparities. This kind of community-informed, inclusive partnership is exactly what we need more of in public health. The Center has been a beacon of equity and a valued partner, instrumental in laying the solid foundation that we stand on today.

    Carol McGruder

    African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council

  • Our Partners

    Improving health through the power of law and policy requires leadership and contributions from community-led organizations, public health practitioners, researchers, and funders. Over the past 24 years, we have partnered with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center for Black Health and Equity, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Climate Imperative, Energy Foundation, many state and local governments, Tribes and Tribal organizations, academic institutions, and research organizations.

    For more testimonials, click here.

  • Issues We Address

    Reducing and elimating commercial tobacco sales and use, pursuing climate justice through environmentally healthy buildings and clean indoor air, promoting healthy food and healthy food access, supporting Tribes and Tribal organziations in their public health initiatives, strengthing public health authority, and maximizing opportunities for physical activity and better mobility for all

  • Our Structure

    We are a nonprofit affiliate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Our Executive Director is Joelle Lester.

    To meet the rest of our staff, click here