WORCESTER—For thousands of low-income and elderly residents in Central and Western Massachusetts, access to justice often hinges on one key question: is there a lawyer willing to help?
Community Legal Aid (CLA), the nonprofit that provides free civil legal services to more than 8,500 residents annually, is seeking to expand its network of pro bono attorneys. The goal: close the widening gap between those who need legal help and the number of lawyers available to give it.
From sealing eviction records to assisting with custody disputes or mounting medical debts, the demand is growing—and CLA is asking both new and seasoned attorneys to step in.
“Every year, more people need legal assistance than Community Legal Aid can provide,” said Meredith Palmer, CLA’s pro bono director, in a recent announcement. “To address this gap, Community Legal Aid partners with attorneys in the private bar to extend our capacity. By expanding our reach through our pro bono programs, CLA enables the legal community to collectively increase access to justice.”
Attorneys who volunteer receive access to free training, mentorship, translation services, and—thanks to a grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation—even case filing software for those taking on consumer or bankruptcy cases.
The organization currently offers several ways to get involved, including:
- Eviction Record Sealing Clinics on Thursday mornings in Worcester and Fitchburg;
- A Pro Bono Family Law Clinic at CLA’s Worcester office, both in-person and virtual;
- A Small Claims Lawyer-for-the-Day Program, where volunteers assist clients with in-court representation;
- Virtual bankruptcy trainings on June 26 and Oct. 9, for attorneys willing to accept at least one pro bono case.
Volunteers don’t need to be experts to get started, either. The organization emphasizes that attorneys will be supported every step of the way, making it easy to contribute—even for those with busy schedules.
For more information, a calendar of volunteer opportunities, or to sign up, visit: communitylegal.org/get-involved/pro-bono/volunteer
With offices in Worcester, Fitchburg, Springfield, Greenfield, Northampton, and Pittsfield, CLA serves residents across Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. The organization focuses on protecting homes, livelihoods, health, and families—one case at a time.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
