Wexler argues that the traditional practice of law that is taught in law schools and practiced by lawyers does not efficiently deal with the legal problems of poor people. He suggests an alternative model where the lawyer’s role consists of assisting poor people to organize to create a cooperative environment, where they can collectively solve their own legal problem under the guidance of poverty lawyers. He believes that this is beneficial because it empowers poor people and provides them with a permanent infrastructure to advance their rights in society that cannot be taken away from them by the government, or by lawyers who no longer wish to work in poverty law.

Wexler suggests that a poverty lawyer can empower his or her clients in the following ways:

1. Informing individuals and groups of their rights: A lawyer can talk about their rights in a way that they understand.
2. Writing manuals and other materials: A lawyer should produce materials and make the law accessible to the poor. Having a summary of laws gives them knowledge of their legal rights, which is necessary for them to engage in legal battles.
3. Training lay advocates: If poor people are trained properly they could take on the roles of advocates and appear before tribunals and boards to solve their own problems.
4. Educating groups for confrontation: Lawyers can prepare people for confrontation against whom the poor people have grievances.