Pro Bono Spotlight: Attorney Carolyn E. Scott-Howe
Attorney Carolyn E. Scott-Howe is one of Community Legal Aid’s most long-standing and dedicated volunteer attorneys. Throughout her career, Attorney Scott-Howe generously volunteered her services in both the Hampden and Hampshire County Probate and Family Courts, as well as in the Western Division of Housing Court.
Attorney Scott-Howe began practicing law 28 years ago and immediately incorporated pro bono work into her practice. She has experience in tort law, family law, criminal defense, municipal law, residential real estate, corporate law, and estate administration. On top of her private practice, Attorney Scott-Howe was n Adjunct Professor at Elms College in Chicopee, MA for over 20 years.
A regular volunteer for such programs as Lawyer for the Day, Guardianship Care Plan Review, and Conciliation, Attorney Scott-Howe also created and implemented the Uncontested Divorce Project (UDP), serving low income families in the Hampden County Probate and Family Court. Commencing in November 2011, the UDP helped steer low-income litigants through the process of filing for divorce utilizing paralegal and law student volunteers under her direct supervision. Under her leadership, a total of 106 families secured uncontested divorce judgments. In each case, Attorney Scott-Howe was the attorney of record. In addition to her work with the UDP, Attorney Scott-Howe accepted approximately 56 full representation pro bono referrals from CLA.
Attorney Scott-Howe’s demonstrated commitment to pro bono has not gone unnoticed. In 2013, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts awarded her the prestigious Adams Pro Bono and Publico Award for her distinguished service and outstanding commitment to providing volunteer legal services to those with limited means. In 2012, Attorney Scott-Howe received the Senior Partners for Justice Gideon’s Trumpet Award in honor of her extraordinary commitment to Access to Justice for all.
Attorney Scott-Howe operates a solo general practice firm in Chicopee and continues to provide volunteer work for CLA as well as other local programs.
