Boston Bar Association

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