Please Note: This event has already taken place.
Walk to the Hill Meet-Up
Thursday, January 29, 2015
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Boston Bar Association - 16 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
Description:
Looking for a group to Walk to the Hill with? Join the New Lawyers and the
Solo & Small Firms Sections for a networking breakfast before walking over
to the State House as a group. Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid is one
of the largest lobbying events held at the Massachusetts State House. This
annual event is critical to obtaining funding for civil legal services.
2015 is a very important year for civil legal aid. Following “Investing
in Justice,” the report of the BBA
Statewide Task Force to Expand Civil Legal Aid in Massachusetts, we now know
more about the justice gap than ever before. We know that nearly 2/3 of
eligible individuals are turned away from legal aid services for essential life
necessities such as shelter or protection from an abuser due to lack of
providers. This results in an untold amount of individual hardships and a
glut of pro se litigants, straining the courts and hindering access to
justice. In addition, our society must bear the costs of police, shelter,
and medical services arising as a result.
“Investing
in Justice ”
demonstrates that funding civil legal aid will result in substantial cost
savings for the Commonwealth. The report calls for a $30 million increase
in legal aid funding over the next three years. This year, the
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation will be requesting $25 million for
legal services, a $10 million increase over last year's
budget.
Schedule of Events:
10:00 a.m.— Meet at
Boston Bar Association
11 to 11:30 a.m. — Walk over to State House and
Register
11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. — Speaking program
12:00 to 1:00 pm
— Legislative visits and lunch
Sponsoring Section/Committee(s):
Contact:
Katherine D'Angelo Manter
kdangelo@bostonbar.org
BBA Event Calendar