Housing Court Lawyer for the Day
Assisting Unrepresented Landlords and Tenants
Over the past two decades, volunteer lawyers and law students have passed through the Boston Housing Court, offering their assistance to unrepresented tenants and landlords on Eviction Day. Since May 1999, volunteers have helped more than 18,000 individuals. As a volunteer attorney for this program, you will get out from behind your desk and provide access to justice to pro se litigants through advice, mediation, and case litigation.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Staff an advice and information table (one-day commitment).
- Accompany parties into mediation sessions (time commitments vary).
- Provide full representation to individuals during eviction trials (time commitments vary; the Court aims to process matters quickly when possible).
Requirements for Volunteering
- All lawyers are welcome to participate.
- The BBA’s Real Estate Section and the Volunteer Lawyers Project conduct training sessions for new volunteers interested in limited representation and full representation in an eviction trial.
- While you are in court, staff attorneys from the Volunteer Lawyer Project, Greater Boston Legal Services, Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, and Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School offer administrative and technical support to answer any questions you may have.
This program is supported in part by the Boston Bar Foundation.