Fighting for Justice for Over 70 Years

In January 1951, a group of attorneys took a bold step in the fight for justice by forming the Legal Aid Society of Worcester. Twenty years later, the local poverty law programs operating in Western Massachusetts joined together to form Western Mass. Legal Services. in 2011, the programs from Western Mass. merged with the legal services organization in Worcester County to form Community Legal Aid (CLA). Today, we are a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to over 7,000 low-income and elderly clients a year across the five counties of Central and Western Massachusetts, impacting an estimated 18,000 of the region’s most vulnerable residents.

Watch this video timeline of CLA’s history, which was assembled for our 70th anniversary event.

The roots of Community Legal Aid stretch back more than a decade prior to the federal Great Society and War on Poverty programs of the sixties which were established to reduce the growing divide between the haves and have-nots in America. Indeed, its creation was visionary in its recognition of the profound need for access to justice for those in our communities unable to afford an attorney. Its founding represented the start of a movement to provide free legal services in Central and Western Massachusetts that has continued for 70 years. Below is a timeline of this evolution.

1950’s – The Legal Aid Society

1951

A group of attorneys, members, and officers of the Worcester County Bar Association file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State creating the Legal Aid Society of Worcester, Inc. 

The purpose of the Legal Aid Society is: “To assist worthy persons, who are in need, to procure legal aid.” The first president, Cosimo Toscano, is quoted in a May, 1951, article in the Worcester Telegram as saying, “This is an organization of lawyers, sponsored by the Worcester County Bar Association, to provide legal assistance for those financially unable to engage an attorney.” In its modest beginnings, the volunteer based Legal Aid Society has no office or paid staff.

1957–59

The Legal Aid Society opens its first office in the Commerce Building on Main Street, Worcester, and hires its first attorney-director, Attorney Ralph Sigel. The Society opens its first office primarily with a $2,500 grant from the Worcester Bar Association, $5,000 from the National Legal Aid Association, and individual donations. In October 1959, the Legal Aid Society receives approval as a grantee of the local Community Chest (which has evolved into the United Way of Central Mass). The United Way continues to be one of Community Legal Aid’s most valued supporters even today.

1960’s – Neighborhood Legal Services of Worcester and Springfield

1964

As part of the federal government’s Great Society initiatives, Congress passes the Economic Opportunity Act. The Act provides federal funding for legal services under the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and allows for the formation of Neighborhood Legal Services in both Worcester and Springfield. With these organizations, the government begins supporting legal assistance for those without means.

In Worcester, the Legal Aid Society Board of Directors agree to oversee, under the part-time supervision of Legal Aid Society Director Sigel, Neighborhood Legal Services of Worcester.

1966

The Worcester offices of Neighborhood Legal Services first opens, with similar legal service offices opening in the Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner areas.

1967

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. of Springfield is incorporated. Also funded through the OEO, the purpose of the organization includes: “To provide legal services, and assistance including neighborhood legal counsel and representation for the poor in all civil and administrative matters.” The officers are Tullio Francesconi (President), Charles Cheeks (Treasurer), and Mary Egan (Clerk).

1968

Neighborhood Legal Services of Worcester begins operating with its own board and its own director.

Referred to as a “community law office” in its first decades, the Society handles hundreds of civil cases a year, many involving domestic relations. In 1968, the Society handles a total of 794 cases, of which 573 concern “family problems.” As the Society is barred by its own policy set by its Board of Directors from handling divorces or annulments, it provides advice and works with other local agencies to intervene and provide relief. The Society also handles cases involving debt collection.

1969

The Worcester Bar Association creates its Lawyer Referral Service, with the Legal Aid Society designated as its coordinator. The voluntary participation of individual members of the bar continues and becomes known as the Volunteer Lawyers Service.

1970’s: Western Mass Legal Services and Central Mass Legal Services

By the 1970’s the Legal Aid Society is helping low-income elderly residents by answering questions and giving advice at nursing homes and senior centers. In one month (April 1977), the Society handles about 40 cases for elders, including cases related to wills, landlord-tenant issues, credit, home ownership, and eligibility for medical or health care, pensions, Social Security and other benefits. Funding for the Society by the late 1970’s comes from the United Way of Central Massachusetts and the Worcester County Bar Association, as well as the state and federal Title 20 welfare funding for services to low-income people.

1972

Western Mass Legal Services (WMLS) is created to serve the four counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire, consolidating several local entities. The new organization is led by Dr. Albert Pryor of Springfield (Treasurer & Clerk) and Paul Donohue of Pittsfield (President). The stated purpose of WMLS is: “To provide legal aid, advice and counselling, and legal services to persons of low income.”

Neighborhood Legal Services changes its name to Worcester County Legal Services. In 1974, Worcester County Legal Services becomes Central Mass Legal Services. J. Robert Seder, who serves as chairman of both boards, calls legal services to the poor “a basic right” and one of the “most important areas where poverty can be attacked.”

1974

The Economic Opportunity Act expires in 1970. Despite opposition, Congress recognizes the necessity for a continuation and strengthening of Legal Services, and the Act is extended until a permanent Legal Services Corporation (“LSC”) is created in 1974.

1980’s – Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts

By the early 1980’s, the Legal Aid Society amends its by-laws to allow handling of cases involving divorce and annulment. The Society now almost exclusively handles domestic relations cases, such as divorce and child custody. Central Mass Legal Services (CMLS), which receives funding from LSC, handles a wider variety of cases including benefits (Medicare, unemployment, and food stamps), housing and eviction, consumer complaints and unfair debt collection, and civil legal problems for elders over the age of 60.

1981

When Congress slashes LSC’s budget by 25% , CMLS is forced to cut 10 staff, close its Fitchburg office, and stop taking disability benefits cases. Due to the budget cuts and the economic climate, CMLS focuses on responding to emergencies including clients in need of food and shelter, and collaborating with and training community advocates and partners.

1982

Recognizing the benefits of a single entity providing a range of legal services, the Worcester Legal Aid Society merges with Central Mass Legal Services. The merger creates the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts (“LACCM”), with Attorney Robert Lian, as its first president and Douglas Reynolds as its vice president. Kathleen Miller serves as the first Executive Director. LACCM also assumes responsibly for the Volunteer Lawyers Service of the Worcester County Bar Association.

1983

The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation is created by the state legislature. In time, this entity becomes the primary funding source for LACCM and WMLS, with revenue coming from the state budget and the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (“IOLTA”) program.

1990’s – Massachusetts Justice Project

1996

Funded primarily by LSC, the Massachusetts Justice Project (MJP) is created. During its tenure, it serves as the intake hotline for LACCM and WMLS. MJP also operates the Volunteer Lawyers Service Program, which offers opportunities for private lawyers to provide pro bono services to clients.

2010’s – Community Legal Aid and Central West Justice Center

2011

Again recognizing the administrative efficiency of merging legal services entities, especially in times of declining funding sources that occurred in the wake of the national housing market crash and recession of 2008, LACCM and WMLS merge under the present name of Community Legal Aid (CLA). After this consolidation, CLA becomes the sole non-profit organization offering free legal services to low income and elderly residents across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties.

2013

CLA incorporates a subsidiary, the Central West Justice Center (CWJC). CWJC’s advocates focus on cases involving humanitarian-based immigration law, labor and employment rights, housing and homelessness issues, family law, and access to public benefits. CWJC also houses the Food Security Project, as well as the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Project, the only statewide project that provides advocacy to farmworkers across the Commonwealth. Unlike CLA, CWJC receives no federal funding from LSC.

2014

As part of the planned restructuring of legal services for the region, Massachusetts Justice Project becomes part of CLA. MJP’s merger with CLA streamlines intake for clients.

2021

Building on a legacy that began seven decades ago, CLA and CWJC today provide free legal services to over 7,000 low-income and elderly clients a year across the five counties of Central and Western Massachusetts, impacting an estimated 18,000 of the region’s most vulnerable residents. No matter the name, the fight for justice for those who cannot afford legal assistance continues.

To download a pdf file containing a longer, more detailed, history of CLA in Worcester, written by the Hon. Francis R. Fecteau (Ret.), click here.