Basic Estate Planning Training with Attorney Tracy Craig of Mirick O'Connell
2022-05-06 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Please join us on Friday, May 6th at 10 AM for a virtual training session on estate planning matters with Attorney Tracy Craig of Mirick O’Connell.
Simple Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Healthcare Proxies will be covered in preparation for our upcoming Veteran Estate Planning Clinic in partnership with Hanover Insurance Group, however all of our volunteers are welcome to come and learn with us. Registration is required to attend.
Please click HERE in order to register.

Veterans Estate Planning Clinic
2022-05-16 13:00 - 16:00 | MA, United States
Community Legal Aid Pro Bono will host an Estate Planning Clinic for Veterans on Monday May 16, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m. The clinic, held in collaboration with The Hanover Insurance Group Office of General Counsel, will offer basic wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies for free to eligible Veterans. Space is limited, and advance registration is required by contacting Colleen Brady at cbrady@cla-ma.org or (508) 425-2831.
In connection with the clinic, CLA Pro Bono is offering a free training to attorneys who may be interested in providing pro bono legal services. The training on Basic Estate Planning will be offered on Friday, May 6 from 10 – 11 AM. The clinic is open to any attorney interested in volunteering with Community Legal Aid. Please register in advance by clicking HERE.

Senior Partners for Justice Virtual Luncheon with Attorney Joseph Makalusky
2022-05-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Join us for Attorney Joseph Makalusky’s talk on “A Look Inside the Mysterious Disciplinary Process Through the Lens of Social Media”.
A Short Biography of Attorney Makalusky:
Attorney Joseph Makalusky joined the Office of Bar Counsel as an Assistant Bar Counsel after practicing complex civil litigation for nearly two decades as a partner in the Boston firm Ellis & Rapacki LLP. His diverse legal background also includes experience as an insurance defense attorney with a large law firm, an Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and a law clerk to Justice Raya Dreben of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Mr. Makalusky is also an Adjunct Professor teaching Ethics and the Law of Lawyering at his alma mater, New England Law.
SPJ Virtual Luncheon (Zoom) – Wednesday, May 18th, 1 PM – 2:30 PM
Click HERE to register for this event.

Senior Partners for Justice Mentoring Chat
2022-06-08 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
The Mentor-Mentee Relationship of Mentorship
Join us on Wednesday, June 8th from 1-2:15 PM for a panel discussion about the value of mentorship
Panelists include members of the MBA Young Lawyers Division who will discuss their experience with promoting, engaging, and sustaining mentoring relationships. There will be opportunities for Q&A during the presentation. Don’t miss this Chat and the chance to connect with peers and potential mentors and mentees!
Moderator:
Batool Raza
Panelists:
Jordan Belliveau | Taylor Callahan | Peter Chandler | Shylah Maloney
Andrew Weissenberg | Nicole Cocozza
Click HERE to register for this event.

Guardianship of Incapacitated Persons Training with Attorney Erin Bradbury
2022-06-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Please join Community Legal Aid (CLA) Pro Bono for our upcoming training on the Guardianship of Incapacitated Persons on Thursday, June 23rd from 1-2:30 PM presented by Attorney Erin Bradbury of the Law Offices of Attorney Erin Bradbury in Holden. Please register in advance to attend this training.
Attorney Bradbury is the founder and principal attorney with the Law Offices of Erin Bradbury in Holden, Mass. Bradbury’s practice focuses on Probate Court matters, including guardianships and conservatorship for incapacitated individuals. She has handled more than 450 guardianship cases in her career and is considered an expert in the field of guardianships.
Attorney Bradbury will share her professional experience and insights on:
• How to petition the court for guardianship
• Types of guardianships
• Necessary court documents including medical certificates and clinical team reports
• Associated filing timelines
• Hearing procedures
• Alternatives to guardianship
Please click HERE to register in advance for this training.

Gender Identity and the Law Workshop for Western Mass LGBTQIA+ Advocates
2022-06-24 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
The need for social and legal support for the LGBTQIA+ community in Western Massachusetts remains great. Come learn from local experts about the legal landscape affecting this community and how YOU can make a difference in assisting individuals in accessing gender-affirming care and services.
Community Legal Aid (CLA) is collaborating with statewide and local legal services providers to expand a network of attorneys trained to provide support in legal name changes. Partners of this initiative include GLAD, Gender Identity Validation Services (GIVS) based in Northampton, and the Gender Affirming Identification Project (GAIP), a project of the Center for Social Justice at the Western New England School of Law. Your involvement and support can provide a lifetime of gender affirming access for individuals in our community.
This 2-hour workshop will be comprised of two parts. First, a member of Transhealth Northampton (https://transhealth.org/) will explore family case studies of gender journeys to better understand the perspectives, experiences, and needs of this community. Attorney Jennifer Levi of GLAD will also provide a national political overview of pending and recent litigation and legislation which impact access to gender affirming care and services. During the second part of the workshop, experienced attorneys will provide a substantive training of the legal name change process and connect you to resources where YOU can make a difference.

Time

Jun 24, 2022 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

REGISTER: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqc-qvqTspHdGB6MvquhOiWgtvwAhBV-bL

Worcester Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day
2022-09-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Court Service Center (Worcester District Court), 225 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
A volunteer attorney is available every Wednesday between 9 AM – 12 PM to participate in our Probate and Family Court Remote Lawyer for the Day Program over Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84383342916) or in person (Court Service Center, 225 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608).
This project aims to connect eligible litigants with volunteer attorneys to provide limited assistance through counsel and advice and/or drafting assistance in family law matters. Community Legal Aid (CLA) and the Worcester County Bar Association (WCBA) sponsor this Probate and Family Court Remote Lawyer for the Day Project in partnership with the Worcester Court Services Center.

FREE Estate Planning Clinic
2022-11-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Community Legal Aid: Worcester, 370 Main Street, Worcester, 01608
Community Legal Aid, in collaboration with Hanover Insurance Group and Saint-Gobain, will host a one-day Estate Planning Clinic. Volunteer attorneys will prepare wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies, free for veterans, seniors, & others who financially qualify. Friday, November 18, 2022 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
370 Main St, 1st Fl Conference Rm, Worcester, MA 01608
Space is limited. Advanced registration is required. To register, contact Colleen Brady at cbrady@cla-ma.org
Estate Planning Clinic 2022 Flyer

Housing Court Training for Pro Bono Volunteers
2023-03-22 13:00 - 16:30 | MA, United States
The Hampden County Bar Association Legal Clinic in partnership with the New Lawyers Section
and Community Legal Aid will be hosting a Housing Court Training to train volunteers for our
lawyer for the day programs.
The training will be held on March 22, 2023, from 1:00 – 4:30 PM at the Roderick L. Ireland
Courthouse in the Commissioners Room. The training will prepare volunteers to assist both
landlords and tenants in a “lawyer for the day” capacity. The training will cover an overview of
Massachusetts residential tenancy laws, summary process law and procedure, and the purpose
of LFD/Role of the Volunteer Lawyer.
PANEL
Honorable Jonathan J. Kane, Western Division Housing Court
Clerk Magistrate Michael J. Doherty, Western Division Housing Court
Chief Housing Specialist Jenni Pothier, Western Division Housing Court
Gordon P. Shaw, Esq., Community Legal Aid
Ryan K. O’Hara, Esq., Bacon/Wilson
Thomas N. Wilson, Esq., Dunn & Wilson
A certificate of attendance will be given to those in attendance.
Lunch will be provided!
REGISTER TODAY!
www.members.hcbar.org/eventcalendar
For questions please call 413-733-6500 or
email Sadie Reynolds, Esq. at sadie@hcbar.org

PRO BONO SEMINAR: Bridging the access to justice gap with pro bono
2023-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Discussion will include multiple perspectives on how pro bono work promotes a justice system that is fair and accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Learn about pro bono opportunities at Community Legal Aid (CLA), and how pro bono work can enhance your legal skills and practice. There will be time for Q & A at the end of the program
Please log into the member area of the Worcester County Bar Association website to participate, zoom link is posted on the “Seminar Material” page.
Panelists:

Assistant Clerk-Magistrate Michael D. Prosser,
Worcester District Court

Akosua Agyepong, Esq.
Sequel Law, LLC

Pavel Y. Bespalko, Esq.
Tricorne & Co., P.C.

Matthew Blouin, Esq.
Worcester Court Service Center Manager

Kathryn A. Calo, Esq.
Bowditch & Dewey

Meredith Palmer, Esq.
Community Legal Aid Pro Bono Director

Moderators:
Kathryn O’Leary, Esq. and Leigh Woodruff, Esq.
Co-Chairs of the WCBA Civil Litigation Committee

April SPJ Luncheon: View from the Appeals Court
2023-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | MA, United States
Date & Time: Apr 26, 2023 01:00 PM
Description: Justice Amy Lyn Blake graduated from the University of Rochester, New York, in 1987. She attended New England Law School and graduated, cum laude, in 1992. While in law school she was named a New England Scholar and awarded the Amos L. Taylor Award for Excellence In Achievement.
Admitted to the bar in 1992, she served as an Assistant District Attorney until 1994, prosecuting cases in the District Court bench and six person jury sessions while supervising the District Attorney’s Office in two district courts. From 1994 to 2008 she focused her private practice on domestic relations law with the firms of White, Inker & Aronson, Yasi & Yasi and Casner & Edwards, rising from associate to partner. She represented parties in all aspects of domestic relations proceedings. As part of her practice, she filled the roles of Guardian ad Litem, discovery master, attorney for the child and conciliator. She also served on the compensation and long term planning committees. She currently serves on the Board of Editors of the Boston Bar Journal, and as an associate editor of the Massachusetts Law Review.
In 2008 Governor Deval Patrick appointed her to the Family & Probate Court, where she was named “Distinguished Jurist” in 2013 by the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers. In 2017, she received the Jurist of the Year Award by the Middlesex County Bar Association. Justice Blake is also a lecturer in Law at New England Law Boston.
Appointed to the Appeals Court by Governor Patrick, Justice Blake joined the Court on September 9, 2014.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElc-6orz4vGdwx_Hq4x3k6dVDOhudDMGBF#/registration

Worcester District Court Small Claims Lawyer for the Day
2023-09-12 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-06-18 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-06-25 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-07-02 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-07-09 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-07-16 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-07-23 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-07-30 08:45 - 11:00 and 4 more dates | via Zoom, MA, United States
VOLUNTEER CALL TO ACTION!
This remote Lawyer for the Day program is a collaborative pro bono project with the Worcester County Bar Association (WCBA) that provides Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) to low-income debtors in the Worcester District Court, Small Claims Session. This program takes places every Tuesday morning between 8:45 – 11:00 A.M. via Zoom.
SIGN UP HERE for a session between January and March 2026!

Springfield Thanks a Latte @ Nosh Cafe
2023-10-12 08:00 - 10:00 | Nosh Cafe, 1341 Main Street, Springfield, MA, United States
Dear Community Legal Aid Pro Bono Attorneys and Valued Partners, October is National Celebrate Pro Bono Month! We are honored to celebrate you during Pro Bono Month 2023.
Please join us as we kick off Pro Bono Month with a Thanks A Latte Volunteer Appreciation Event at Nosh Restaurant & Cafe in Springfield. Join us for coffee and breakfast as we thank all of our volunteers and community partners for your ongoing support.
Where: Nosh Restaurant & Cafe – 1341 Main Street, Springfield, MA
When: October 12, 2023 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
How: Please RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFxduY3UQ-Pt5UbT1LaohwG2axPrzOb8YtuW_bzeDYAW2tWg/viewform

Western Division Housing Court Lawyer for the Day Program
2023-10-12 09:00 - 13:00 | MA, United States
In partnership with the Hampden County Bar Association, this in-person Lawyer for the Day program recruits volunteer attorneys who provide counsel and advice and/or Limited Assistance Representation to litigants who have a housing court case on that day. Onsight mentorship by a CLA Attorney is provided.
When: Every Thursday from 9am-1pm
Where: Western Division Housing Court: 37 Elm Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Sign-up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DABAB2CA2FF2-western1#/

Worcester Thanks a Latte @ Fuel America
2023-10-19 08:00 - 11:00 | Fuel America, 6 Mercantile Street, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
Dear Community Legal Aid Pro Bono Attorneys and Valued Partners,
October is National Celebrate Pro Bono Month! We are honored to celebrate you during Pro Bono Month 2023.
Please join us as we kick off Pro Bono Month with a Thanks A Latte Volunteer Appreciation Event at Fuel America in Worcester. Join us for coffee and breakfast as we thank all of our volunteers and community partners for your ongoing support.
Where: Fuel America – 6 Mercantile Street, Worcester
When: October 19, 2023 from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
How: Please RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4t4YStsY9ULwrIZ_NcMcGavIVaHGwDyg0TZFpfRDjyYjQuQ/viewform

Consumer Debt Training- Advising and Representing Debtors in Small Claims Court
2024-01-29 16:00 - 18:00 | via Zoom, MA, United States
A CLE webinar produced by the Social Law Library featuring:

Joy Sun, Attorney, Consumer Rights Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services
Sarah Perlman, Attorney, Consumer Rights Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services
Choyce McIntosh, Pro Bono Coordinator, Community Legal Aid

This training will provide you with the resources necessary to do so, whether you‘re a pro bono volunteer or just starting your consumer law practice. Topics covered will include:

An overview of consumer debt collection
How to validate & dispute debt
Stopping harassment by debt collectors
What income is exempt from collection
Advising and representing debtors in small claims court
Relevant consumer resources in Massachusetts
Answering your consumer debt questions

Worcester Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day
2024-02-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Worcester Court Service Center, 225 Main St, 1st Floor, Worcester, 01608, United States
Worcester Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day

At this pro bono program coordinated by Community Legal Aid, low-income litigants can speak to a free volunteer private attorney to get basic legal advice, help understanding the laws, and assistance filling out forms. Please note that the program only assists with family law matters and does not assist with probate matters.
Because this pro bono program is dependent upon volunteers, we cannot guarantee a volunteer attorney is available each week. Please check our calendar to confirm whether a volunteer is scheduled for the day you plan to arrive. Occasionally, we are unable to provide an update if a volunteer cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
WHEN:

Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

No sign-up necessary. First-come, first-served

Due to volunteer capacity, we can only assist approximately 5 people each session
LOCATION:

Worcester Court Service Center; 1st floor of the Worcester Trial Court

225 Main St., 1st Floor, Worcester, MA 01608
ELIGIBILITY:

Serving low-income individuals whose household income falls 200% or below the federal poverty guidelines

Can only serve U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, or those with an eligible documented status
SERVICES:

Legal advice and guidance; answer case-related questions; discuss legal options and strategy; assist drafting pleadings and court forms for family law matters
WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY? SIGN UP HERE (for attorneys only)
QUESTIONS? Please email FamilyLFD@cla-ma.org.

Housing Court Training for Attorneys - Hampden County
2024-03-27 13:00 - 16:30 | Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse, 50 State Street, Springfield, MA, 01102, United States
The Hampden County Bar Association Legal Clinic, in partnership with Community Legal Aid, will be hosting a Housing Court Training to train attorneys in a new area of practice.
The Training will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse in the Commissioners Room. The Training will prepare volunteers with a basic overview of Housing Court Law and tools to assist landlords and tenants in a “Lawyer for the Day” (LFD) capacity. The Training will cover an overview of Massachusetts residential tenancy laws, a summary of process law and procedure, and the purpose of LFD/Role of the Volunteer Lawyer.
A certificate of attendance and Lunch will be provided! *Attendees must sign up for a LFD shift as the price of admission*
PANEL
• Honorable Jonathan J. Kane, First Justice, Western Division Housing Court
• Clerk Magistrate Michael J. Doherty, Western Housing Court
• Chief Housing Specialist Jenni Pothier, Western Division Housing Court
• Gordon P. Shaw, Esq., Community Legal Aid
• Dennis P. Powers, Esq., Powers Law Group LLP
• Peter T. Lane, Esq., Fierst Bloomberg Ohm LLP
• Richard Herbert, Esq., Rich Herbert Law, P.C.
REGISTER TODAY!
For questions please call 413-733-6500 or email Tamika Ortiz-Acosta, Legal Clinic Manager, at tamika@hcbar.org

Worcester Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day
2024-08-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Worcester Court Service Center, 225 Main St, 1st Floor, Worcester, 01608, United States
Worcester Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day

At this pro bono program coordinated by Community Legal Aid, low-income litigants can speak to a free volunteer private attorney to get basic legal advice, help understanding the laws, and assistance filling out forms. Please note that the program only assists with family law matters and does not assist with probate matters.
Because this pro bono program is dependent upon volunteers, we cannot guarantee a volunteer attorney is available each week. Please check our calendar to confirm whether a volunteer is scheduled for the day you plan to arrive. Occasionally, we are unable to provide an update if a volunteer cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
WHEN:

Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

No sign-up necessary. First-come, first-served

Due to volunteer capacity, we can only assist approximately 5 people each session
LOCATION:

Worcester Court Service Center; 1st floor of the Worcester Trial Court

225 Main St., 1st Floor, Worcester, MA 01608
ELIGIBILITY:

Serving low-income individuals whose household income falls 200% or below the federal poverty guidelines

Can only serve U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, or those with an eligible documented status
SERVICES:

Legal advice and guidance; answer case-related questions; discuss legal options and strategy; assist drafting pleadings and court forms for family law matters
WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY? SIGN UP HERE (for attorneys only)
QUESTIONS? Email FAMILYLFD@CLA-MA.ORG.
