The Lawyers Clearinghouse, founded in 1988 by the Boston Bar Association and Massachusetts Bar Association, provides pro bono legal services to nonprofit organizations throughout Massachusetts.
To be eligible for free legal assistance, the organization should:
- Be nonprofit or seek to establish nonprofit status
- Provide services to low or moderate income people or serve a compelling community need
- Be unable to afford legal services or demonstrate that the cost of obtaining assistance would adversely affect their ability to fulfill their mission
The Clearinghouse helps with a wide range of legal issues including real estate, corporate, intellectual property, contracts, employment, formation, tax, corporate governance, and regulatory matters, by:
- Matching volunteer lawyers with nonprofit groups that serve our communities in areas including housing, heath care, the environment, education, and social services.
- Leading monthly seminars for nonprofit representatives seeking assistance with incorporating in Massachusetts and/or filing for federal tax-exempt status and collaborate with several community partners to provide workshops on other legal issues for nonprofits and timely legal trainings for pro bono lawyers.
- Providing on-site legal services to the guests of the Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, Medeiros Center, IMPACT, and hopeFound.
There is a $75.00 – $150.00 administrative fee for successful placement of each case with the volunteer attorney. There is no charge for the legal services provided.
To apply for assistance, contact Machiko Sano Hewitt at msanohewitt@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617 778-1954. Additional information and applications are available online at click here.
