Pro Bono Spotlight: Attorney Marie Jablonski
Attorney Marie Jablonski has been a long-standing and consistent volunteer for legal services in Western Massachusetts for almost 20 years. Based in Springfield, Attorney Jablonski is a successful and reputable solo practitioner with a general law practice. She practices in the areas of probate, family law, health care and disability law, estate planning, as well as real estate. Attorney Jablonski is also a certified mediator and conciliator in the areas of family law, and she is one of the few attorneys still willing to make house calls.
A 2021 recipient of the Senior Partners for Justice-West Volunteer Appreciation Award, Attorney Jablonski has accepted full representation pro bono cases in the areas of family law, housing, and social security disability since 2003. In 2014, she shifted her volunteer focus to Community Legal Aid’s (CLA) court-based projects including our Lawyer for the Day and Conciliation programs in the Hampden County Probate and Family Court. Through these programs, she has assisted approximately 48 clients in need.
Attorney Jablonski has a reputation for being an incredibly strong advocate, with an eye towards resolution. She recognizes the emotional and financial toll that divorce and family law issues bring, and her empathetic nature allows her to connect with clients in a meaningful way.
According to Attorney Jablonski:
“The court is a mystery to many people and they are mostly in a maze, not knowing what details are important, and where to start. The people who can afford it hire a lawyer to go through the maze. As a volunteer lawyer I believe there is a great value in the triage-like activities and conversations I have with clients who need to know what to do in a hurry, to get the results they seek. In addition, sometimes there is an opportunity to speak to the client about the bad news that they are not going to be able to get what they want at the court, and to explain why. This can be both challenging and rewarding.
It is very encouraging to me as I speak to people and hear their stories, to see the courage I observe in their daily lives, as they persevere in hard circumstances. After the court event is over, they can move on, and make necessary changes in their lives, and usually daily life will change as a result of the court event.
I also enjoy knowing that some children have a better life because of decisions I assisted their parents in making about their case.”
Thank you, Attorney Jablonski, for your consistent support to both our staff and clients in Western Massachusetts!
