September 13, 2013

Attorney Jennifer Dieringer Honored by Mass. Bar Association

This month, the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA) honors Community Legal Aid (CLA) Managing Attorney Jennifer K. Dieringer as a recipient of the MBA’s “Community Service Award.” The award is given to attorneys who have performed acts of outstanding public service within their community.

Jennifer is the Managing Attorney of Community Legal Aid’s Northampton and Pittsfield offices, where she specializes in housing and family law. Jennifer has handled a number of appellate cases in both areas of law, served as faculty for continuing legal education seminars, and authored academic and practice-oriented publications. She has also taught in law schools and undergraduate colleges and served as a law clerk for Probate and Family Court judges in western Massachusetts. Jennifer has been working for legal aid in western Massachusetts for nearly 15 years.

In addition to being honored for her work as an advocate and supervisor at CLA, Jennifer is receiving the Community Service Award for her other acts of public service, including her key role as co-founder and chairwoman of the Mayor’s Hot Chocolate Run to benefit Safe Passage, a Hampshire County-based domestic violence service provider. In addition, Jennifer is active with Northampton’s Planning and Development office, serving on the Northampton Housing Partnership.

Jonathan L. Mannina, CLA’s Executive Director, said, “We are very proud of the great work that Jen does on behalf of her clients and the community, and we are delighted that her commitment and dedication to the cause of equal justice for all is being recognized by the Mass. Bar Association.”

Jennifer will receive her award on Thursday, September 19 at the Hampshire County Bar Association’s annual meeting.

Community Legal Aid’s free legal services help low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts break free from domestic violence, obtain safe and stable housing, vindicate their rights in the workplace, and access disability and other lawful benefits. We fulfill a vital and unique role to help stablize families and communities. CLA intervenes in moments of crisis, where the clients’ problems – protecting their livelihood, home, health, or family – require immediate legal solutions.