The Order of Malta Legal Clinic ( the Pope Francis legal clinic) is about to enter its tenth year of existence in Oakland at the Cathedral of Christ the Light. Tom Greerty, KM, President of the Order of Malta Legal Clinic, is moved by a sense of great thanksgiving to the Western Association of the Order of Malta for helping the Clinic thrive in their endeavor of helping the poor and the sick who have legal problems and need authentic Catholic counsel. The Clinic helps the needy and the marginalized settle burdens that otherwise would overwhelm them. It is rare to find an establishment that provides legal advice that flows from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the entire Magisterium free of charge.

The Order of Malta Legal Clinic started in 2016 with the assistance and encouragement of Bishop Michael Barber who is still helping the Clinic in so many ways. The Clinic provides advice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. From insurance disputes, to immigration issues, property disputes, and so much more, the Clinic provides guidance and support to those who would otherwise never be able to afford legal advice.  In the spirit of of the earliest days of the Order when caring for the poor and the sick in Jerusalem, the lawyers pray with all clients at the end of each session to seek God's help in solving their problems. For obvious reasons, the lawyers of the Clinic do not go to court on any cases nor do they file documents on their behalf. However, what they do offer is authentic Catholic legal advice, insights into the pertinent legal matter at hand, and prayer. In nearly ten years of service, the Clinic has never received a single complaint. On the contrary, there have been hundreds of lives that have been radically improved through the work done at the Clinic.

The Order of Malta Legal Clinic is a Non-Jurisdictional Instrumental Entity of the Order of Malta under the Western Association. The Clinic is extraordinarily thankful to the Hospitallers, the Board, and the entire Western Association for its support of the Clinic. This past spring the Clinic realized that their insurance coverage costs were greater than their expected grant money from the Western Association. The Clinic, with the support of the Western Association, acted quickly to find other resources to help them procure less expensive insurance coverage. The Boards of the Clinic and the Western Association were able to find a better and more affordable insurance coverage. The Order of Malta Legal Clinic Board of Directors, lawyers, and other volunteers are proud to continue their mission of providing legal advice to those who are most in need.