Private Attorney Involvement

Private attorney volunteers are vital to supplement legal services programs through the generous donation of time and legal skills to assisit eligible clients and can make a big difference in the lives of indigent and low-income residents of Southeastern Massachusetts.

• Professional liability policy coverage for referred cases.
• Free trainings on areas of law presented throughout the year.
• Vouchers for reduced tuition MCLE trainings upon completion of a pro bono case.
• Significant experience in meaningful legal action in all Courts of the Commonwealth
• Support and mentoring from experienced attorneys within SCCLS or the private bar.

Specialty panels include our monthly Family Law Pro Se Workshopss where volunteer attorneys instruct litigants on how to prepare forms and learn how the court conducts business and the Consumer Debt Management Clinics where volunteer attorneys present an overview of consumer debt law and the bankruptcy process. An attorneys pro bono contribution is limited to the workshop or clinic and does not, typically, result in direct representation.

For direct representation in pro bono cases, we are most interested in referring Ch. 7 bankruptcy petitions; divorces; simple document preparation of wills, deed changes, durable powers of attorney, and health care proxies; family law and probate matters including support and guardianships; foreclosure defenses; private landlord-tenant evictions; and education cases involving suspension, expulsion, and special education