Raising the bar: Private lawyers asked to donate money to financially strapped Legal Assistance Corp.

August 3, 2009

 

By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

gmurray@telegram.com

 

 

WORCESTER — The agency that provides free legal services in noncriminal matters to the poor and elderly of Central Massachusetts is reaching out to the local bar for financial help as it grapples with a budget crisis of unprecedented proportions. 

 

Faced with an anticipated decline in income of about $600,000 from its fiscal year 2009 budget of $3 million, the Legal Assistance Corp. of Central Massachusetts is urging each and every lawyer in Worcester County to donate the equivalent of two billable hours of work to help ensure continued legal representation in civil matters for those unable to afford it. 

 

“I am confident that the private bar will step up during this unprecedented financial crisis and support LACCM with financial contributions,” said lawyer Michael P. Angelini, chairman of the Worcester-based law firm of Bowditch & Dewey, who has agreed to spearhead the fundraising campaign. 

 

“We, as lawyers, have an obligation to ensure that civil legal services are available to the less fortunate members of our community and LACCM is the vehicle we have created to serve that need. LACCM needs our help now,” Mr. Angelini said. 

 

About 65 percent of LACCM’s funding comes from the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corp., a nonprofit entity established by the state Legislature in 1983 to make sure low-income people with noncriminal legal problems have access to legal information, advice and representation, according to Jonathan Mannina, LACCM’s executive director. 

 

MLAC receives its funding from two sources, an annual appropriation in the state budget and the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts program. 

 

In fiscal year 2009, MLAC received $11,070,424 from the Legislature, according to Mr. Mannina. That figure was reduced in the current budget to $9.5 million, a 14 percent decline, he said. 

 

At the same time, the faltering economy and slumping housing market have made far less IOLTA money available to the state’s legal assistance programs. In fiscal year 2008, IOLTA generated $26 million statewide, according to Mr. Mannina. Last fiscal year, that figure was reduced to $9.6 million, he said. 

 

The cuts have had a significant impact on local legal aid services. LACCM’s $3.5 million in income in fiscal year 2008 was down to $3 million last fiscal year and is expected to drop again to $2.4 million in the agency’s fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, according to Mr. Mannina. 

 

The program’s staff of lawyers, 30-strong in fiscal year 2008, will be down to 22 by the end of September as a result of layoffs and attrition, Mr. Mannina said. LACCM employed five paralegals and seven administrative/support staff in fiscal year 2008. Those numbers will be reduced to three and six, respectively, by Sept. 30, according to Mr. Mannina. 

 

LACCM has also implemented a salary freeze, asked employees to take unpaid furlough days, opted to close its main office at 405 Main St. on alternating Fridays throughout the summer and shut down its Athol office entirely, all in an effort to save money, he said. 

 

In calendar year 2008, LACCM, which specializes in housing issues, family law and public benefits, opened 3,500 new cases, according to Mr. Mannina. That number is expected to be down to about 2,500 new cases this year due to dwindling resources, he said. 

 

“And this is really at a time when our services are needed more than ever. The need is there more now than ever given the economy,” Mr. Mannina said. 

 

While members of the Worcester County Bar Association have traditionally assisted LACCM by doing pro bono work and serving on its board of directors, this is the first time they have been asked to provide the agency financial support. 

 

“This is not unique or atypical. These campaigns have been done successfully across the country. We’ll see how it does in Worcester,” Mr. Mannina said. 

 

Mr. Angelini points out that Greater Boston Legal Services, the legal assistance program serving the Boston area, raises about $3 million annually from private lawyers, primarily those working at some of the city’s larger firms. MetroWest Legal Services, based in Framingham, raises about $100,000 through the private bar, he said. 

 

“I consider it a very worthwhile endeavor,” Worcester County Bar Association President Stephen R. Anderson said of LACCM’s appeal to local lawyers for financial contributions that could help the area’s disadvantaged stay in their homes, obtain benefits to meet their basic needs and provide a safe environment for their children. 

 

“The tough economic times that we presently find ourselves in have greatly increased the need for the resources that LACCM provides. Without the efforts of those at LACCM and the Massachusetts Equal Justice Project, as well as the private bar, justice could not be served as those in need could not afford the representation that is provided to them,” Mr. Anderson said. 

 

“Any financial assistance we get from the private bar, we’ll really appreciate,” Mr. Mannina said.