Pro Bono Spotlight: Philip O’Connell

Admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1972, Attorney O’Connell founded his firm, O’Connell & O’Connell, P.C., in 1981, and partnered with his daughter, Alicia, in 2011. Through his practice based in Auburn, MA, Attorney O’Connell has been advising elderly and disabled clients throughout Worcester County on long-term care planning, as well as representing buyers, sellers, refinance borrowers, and lenders in all aspects of their real estate transactions.  

While Attorney O’Connell joined Community Legal Aid’s (CLA) pro bono panel relatively recently, he has already made a significant impact on the lives of the clients he has served.

For example, when a 79-year-old client reached out to CLA at the beginning of August 2023 with what they described as a “rushed situation,” we were so grateful that Attorney O’Connell immediately jumped in to help. The client was scheduled for open heart surgery at the end of the month and would need assistance drafting a will, health care proxy, and power of attorney prior to the surgery. By the time CLA’s pro bono team received their application for assistance, we only had 20 days to find an attorney to assist and coordinate a meeting with the client, and for the attorney to draft the documents.  

Within just two minutes of sending an email to Attorney O’Connell, he agreed to assist. For the next few weeks, CLA’s pro bono team remained in constant contact with Attorney O’Connell and the client. Due to the client’s age and circumstances, they were unable to meet Attorney O’Connell at his office in Auburn. Attorney O’Connell and his associate drove 40 minutes to meet the client at their house and prepared the three documents, with plenty of time before the client’s operation. Attorney O’Connell and his office went above and beyond to provide the client the peace of mind they needed and deserved during this challenging time.  

CLA’s pro bono team cannot thank Attorney Philip O’Connell enough for his quick and thoughtful assistance on this case and others! 

Thank you, Attorney O’Connell!