In 2015 a consortium of area law firms, the Volunteer Lawyers Project and other legal services organizations, and the Clerks and Justices of the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court developed the Pro Bono Appellate Program to provide legal services to eligible low-income, self-represented litigants in the Massachusetts appellate court system. As part of this effort, the Program hosts a weekly clinic at which volunteer attorneys are available to provide legal assistance to eligible litigants, with the potential for further representation on appeal.  The clinic is housed in the Appeals Court Clerk’s Office and operates every Wednesday from 12:30-4:00 p.m.

 

This FREE training will explain the history and purpose of the Program, and provide the nuts-and-bolts for volunteer attorneys who will staff the clinic.  Appellate attorneys and legal services attorneys also will discuss appellate procedure and strategies, and highlight special considerations for housing and family law appeals.

 

After this training, attendees will be able to volunteer at the weekly Civil Appeals Clinic (Wednesdays from 12:30-4:00 p.m.) to meet directly with litigants; participate as a review panel consultant, helping to determine if referred cases have merit; and/or represent a litigant on appeal. 

 

Sponsoring Section/Committee(s): Delivery of Legal Services Section

Speakers:

• Susan M. Finegan, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
• Brian Dunphy, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
• Joshua J. Bone, Goodwin Procter LLP
• David A. Kluft, Foley Hoag LLP
• Christina L. Paradiso, Community Legal Aid
• Pattie Whiting, Harvard Legal Aid Bureau