Boston Bar Association

Projects

• Bankruptcy Reaffirmation Clinic
  Each month, a volunteer from the BBA Bankruptcy Section staffs the Reaffirmation Clinic to provide advice to pro se debtors who are considering entering into a reaffirmation agreement for a debt. The attorney will generally advise the litigant with regard to negotiating his or her debts at issue. There is no appearance entered by the attorney.

  Suggested Practice Area:
  Bankruptcy

  Time commitment:
  Four hours

  Location:
  U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston

  Contact:
  Stephanie Lee, public service programs coordinator, 617-778-1914 or slee@bostonbar.org
• Personal Bankruptcies and Special Projects
  This program provides legal representation for pro se litigants filing for personal bankruptcy, usually in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Volunteers represent income-qualified debtors as pro bono counsel. The Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association is the primary intake and referral point for clients seeking to file for personal bankruptcy.

  Suggested Practice Area:
  Bankruptcy

  Time commitment:
  Varies

  Location:
  U.S. Bankruptcy Courtfor the District of Massachusetts in Boston

  Contact:
  Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association; or Stephanie Lee, public service programs coordinator, 617-778-1914 or slee@bostonbar.org
• Business Law Pro Bono Project
  This project serves nonprofit organizations and low-income entrepreneurs in New England. Attorneys provide pro bono legal services in areas such as incorporation, corporate legal advice, compliance with regulations, real estate, business contracts, employment and dissolution.

  Suggested Practice Area:
  Transactional Business

  Time commitment:
  Varies

  Location:
  Varies

  Contact:
  Machiko’s Sano Hewitt, lawyer referral director, Lawyers Clearinghouse, 617-778-1954; or Stephanie Lee, public service programs coordinator, 617-778-1914 or slee@bostonbar.org
• Family Law Limited Representation Project
  Through this project, volunteers can provide pro bono limited assistance representation to pro se parties at the Probate and Family Court. BBA volunteers complement a group of attorneys who participate through Senior Lawyers for Justice and must complete a mandatory Limited Assistance Representation training.

  Suggested Practice Area:
  Family

  Time commitment:
  Three hours

  Location:
  Suffolk County Probate and Family Court

  Contact:
  Stephanie Lee, public service programs coordinator, 617-778-1914 or slee@bostonbar.org
• MA Environmental Justice Assistance Network
  MEJAN serves people in lower-income communities and communities of color who are confronting environmental/health/quality-of-life problems and willing to work in a group and/or with neighbors to improve their environment. Program volunteers mainly provide legal and technical advice and occasionally engage in litigation.

  Suggested Practice Area:
  Environmental

  Time commitment:
  Varies

  Location:
  May vary; most clients are from "environmental justice neighborhoods," defined by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs as those whose annual median household income is equal to or less than 65% of the state medium, or whose population includes 25% or more minority, foreign-born or lacking proficiency in English

  Contact:
  Alternatives for Community & Environment; or Stephanie Lee, public service programs coordinator, 617-778-1914 or slee@bostonbar.org
• Federal Tax Court Pro Bono Project
  Project volunteers provide useful and timely legal and tax advice to unrepresented petitioners in Tax Court at calendar call, on the eve of trial or settlement. Attorneys speak to petitioners and IRS counsel in an effort to resolve more cases to avoid trial and to better prepare litigants whose case may proceed to trial.

  Suggested Practice Area:
  Tax

  Time commitment:
  Varies

  Location:
  Federal Tax Court

  Contact:
  Stephanie Lee, public service programs coordinator, 617-778-1914 or slee@bostonbar.org