When Leah* first walked through the doors of the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), she was carrying more than anyone should have to bear. She was the primary caretaker for her young son with cognitive disabilities, her niece and nephew who had just lost their father, and her mother who had recently been diagnosed with dementia. On top of it all, she faced a legal system she didn’t understand and a guardianship process that threatened her son’s access to vital medication. Alone, the system seemed impossible. With VLP, she found hope.
A VLP volunteer attorney guided Leah step by step, drafting guardianship documents, completing the service of process, and securing temporary and ultimately permanent guardianship. That legal support meant Leah’s son could continue his treatment, and Leah could focus on her family without fear for his health or future.
Stories like Leah’s embody what VLP has done for more than four decades: ensuring that no one is denied justice simply because they cannot afford an attorney. From housing and family law to guardianship and consumer debt, VLP’s staff and pro bono attorneys stand with low-income residents of Massachusetts in their most vulnerable moments.
“When you volunteer with VLP, you can use your legal skills and expertise to make a difference in our community, all while gaining hands-on experience. Whether it be volunteering at a clinic or taking on a full representation case, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients. Volunteering with VLP is a rewarding experience that allows low-income members of our community to have the access to justice that they deserve.” – Ellaina Sivo, Volunteer Lawyers Project
A Place for Learning and Growth
For lawyers, volunteering with VLP is more than just service, it’s also an opportunity to grow. Volunteers gain courtroom experience, mentorship, and specialized training. For example, attending a VLP housing training equips attorneys to step into eviction defense cases with confidence, protecting families from displacement and preserving their right to safe housing.
One VLP volunteer explained:
“Clients are very grateful for the help of volunteers because otherwise the legal system can seem quite daunting and complex to them. Not only do I help clients with their legal woes, but being a newly admitted attorney, I get to take on interesting cases, receive training and mentorship from senior lawyers, interact with and represent clients, and be challenged every day in every way.”
Why Access to Justice Matters
Access to justice is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline. It means the difference between a family staying housed or being evicted, a child continuing treatment or losing care, and a person facing the legal system alone or with an advocate by their side. VLP bridges this justice gap every day, reminding us that the law belongs to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Get Involved
The need is great, but so is the opportunity to make an impact. Lawyers of all backgrounds can play a role in advancing justice by taking on a pro bono case, attending a training, or staffing a legal clinic. The BBA has already hosted a housing training early this month with VLP, and there is another one scheduled for later in the month that we encourage all members to get involved in:
Housing Advocacy for Tenants: Summary Process Eviction Defense Training (10/16)
Interested in other opportunities with VLP? Check out their website here. Together, we can ensure access to justice is not just an ideal, but a reality for all members of our community.
*Client names have been changed to protect privacy
