Honing Trial Advocacy Skills While Helping to Prevent Homelessness

BOSTON, Oct. 24 -- Adding a new dimension to its highly successful Lawyer-for-the-Day Project at the Boston Housing Court, the Boston Bar Association today announced that it is recruiting volunteers to try cases on behalf of low income families and individuals facing eviction and ultimately homelessness. Since its inception in 1999, the Lawyer-for-the-Day Project has assisted unrepresented landlords and tenants in need of assistance on Summary Process Day at the Boston Housing Court. The Program provides volunteer lawyers who staff information and counseling tables that typically serve 40 people a day.

Approximately 70% of those who appear on Summary Process Day are unrepresented and desperately seeking legal counsel.

"The need is ever-present," says Judge Jeffrey M. Winik of the Boston Housing Court. "With winter approaching, the issues become even more complex due to the New England climate, but the problem is around 12 months a year."

The goal of the new component of the Lawyer-for-the-Day Project is to provide direct representation to pro se litigants whose cases cannot be resolved fairly without a trial.

"Every week, we see many people with very legitimate claims come to our table that we know in our hearts should be represented in trial," said Joanna Allison of the Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association. "Soon we will be able to act on behalf of these people, providing the necessary follow-up and support to our continuing counseling efforts."

The Boston Bar Association will hold a training session for volunteers for this new component of the Lawyer-for-the-Day Project on November 8, from 4:00pm-6:30pm at the Boston Bar Association, 16 Beacon St.
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"The expansion provides a unique opportunity for lawyers seeking firsthand trial experience, allowing them to gain that experience while serving an amazing cause," said Samuel B. Moskowitz of Davis Malm & D’Agostine P.C., and Co-Chair of the Boston Bar Association’s Real Estate Pro Bono Committee. "When you realize the difference you are making in these people’s lives, it is a very rewarding experience."

If you have any questions about the Lawyer-for-the-Day Project or the training session on November 8th, please contact Paul Dullea at pdullea@bostonbar.org.