July 5, 2011

Community Legal Aid Is New Provider of Legal Services to Low-Income and Elderly Residents of Central and Western Massachusetts

Worcester, Mass. (July 5, 2011) – Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts (LACCM) and Western Massachusetts Legal Services (WMLS) have joined forces to become Community Legal Aid (CLA). CLA provides free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Counties.

Jonathan Mannina, executive director of CLA, said that the organization will provide exciting opportunities for creative and effective service to clients throughout the region. “CLA’s staff looks forward to working together on issues affecting our client communities. We are proud of the legacy of past providers of legal aid in central and western Massachusetts, and we are committed to providing the finest legal advocacy for our clients.”

Historically, LACCM provided free legal services to eligible clients in the central part of the state, while WMLS provided those services in the four western counties of the state. Now CLA, with a staff of more than 50 people, will have offices in multiple locations throughout central and western Massachusetts.

CLA specializes in elder law, government benefits and unemployment compensation, landlord-tenant law, humanitarian-based immigration law, housing and employment discrimination, and family law matters affecting domestic violence victims. In addition to assisting clients with their cases, CLA provides trainings for social service providers and other members of the community on legal issues affecting low-income and elderly families and individuals.

About CLA

More information about CLA can be found on its website at www.laccm.org (which is in the process of being changed to www.communitylegal.org). CLA’s main offices are located in Northampton, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester. CLA staff are available to meet with clients on designated days at its satellite offices located in Fitchburg, Greenfield, Milford, North Adams and Southbridge.