Community Legal Aid

Worcester District Court Small Claims Lawyer for the Day
2024-12-10 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-12-17 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-12-24 08:45 - 11:00, 2024-12-31 08:45 - 11:00, 2025-01-07 08:45 - 11:00, 2025-01-14 08:45 - 11:00, 2025-01-21 08:45 - 11:00, 2025-01-28 08:45 - 11:00 (America/New_York) and 15 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!

Worcester Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day
2024-12-11 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-12-18 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.

Franklin County Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
2025-01-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Community Legal Aid: Greenfield, 14 Hope Street, Suite 104, Greenfield, MA, United States
Community Legal Aid (CLA) invites you to the Franklin County Access to Justice Campaign Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at our new Greenfield office. CLA advocates will be speaking about how the organization is working to address poverty issues in Franklin County, and special guests will include Anne Gobi, Governor Maura Healey’s Director of Rural Affairs and former Massachusetts senator along with Senator Jo Comerford (Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester). There will be light snacks and beverages available during the event.
Join us on Friday, January 31st for an opportunity to learn about CLA’s work providing civil legal services and see our new Greenfield office space.
When: Thursday, January 31 2025 at 1:00 P.M.
Where: Community Legal Aid 14 Hope Street, Greenfield
Who: Open to members of the Franklin County legal community and beyond! If you are interested in learning more about the work done at CLA and support access to justice please come and enjoy!
REGISTER: Franklin County Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Bloom and Brew: A Volunteer Appreciation Event
2025-05-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Nosh Cafe, 1341 Main Street, Springfield, MA, United States
Community Legal Aid cordially invites you to “Bloom and Brew,” a volunteer appreciation event. Join us for coffee and breakfast at Nosh Restaurant and Café in Downtown Springfield as we thank all of our pro bono attorneys, Access to Justice Campaign volunteers, and community partners for your ongoing support.
Let us know if you will be joining us! Register HERE

Pro Bono Family Law Clinic
2025-05-07 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-14 09:00 - 13:00
Looking for a small-bite pro bono opportunity? Community Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Family Law Clinic offers a weekly program for low-income litigants seeking advice or drafting assistance on their family law matters (e.g. divorce, child or spousal support, child custody and parenting time, guardianships). Volunteers meet with litigants either remotely or in-person in downtown Worcester, MA for one-hour sessions.
The Clinic takes place every Wednesday from 9am-1pm. Sign up for 2-hour or 4-hour shifts.
Pre-screening and conflict checking conducted in advance. On-site intake support provided during each session.
Sign up for a session today!
Unable to volunteer on a Wednesday or need some more support before getting started? Complete this brief survey to tell us about your family law experience and the support we can provide you!

Legal Name Changes: A Pro Bono Attorney's Guide (Free Training)
2025-05-08 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
FREE training opportunity!

Join Community Legal Aid (CLA), Northeast Legal Aid (NLA), the MA LGBTQ Bar Association, and the Gender Identity Validation Services (GIVS) for a pro bono attorney training on legal name changes in Massachusetts for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals.
The training is FREE with your commitment to assist with at least one pro bono referral in the coming year.
Please register for the training HERE.
