A number of housing courts in Massachusetts have Lawyer for the Day programs where lawyers provide tenants and landlords with basic legal advice, help litigants to understand relevant laws and rights, and assist in filling out court forms.  Volunteer lawyers play a critical role in helping to staff these programs.  In many instances, the Lawyer for the Day is the only source of legal help for low income people in housing court.

Learn the law - take the free Eviction Process Overview online course

Legal services programs in Massachusetts have developed a one hour online interactive course to help volunteer lawyers learn the basics of summary process law and procedure. It is recommended that you take this course in conjunction with additional substantive law trainings and mentoring programs offered by organizations that sponsor Lawyer for the Day programs in your area.  A list of organizations sponsoring LFD programs appears below.

Click here to start the course.

The course takes about an hour, although you do not need to complete it in one sitting - you can come back to it at any time and find your place by using the course menu. You can also come back to the course at any point to refresh your knowledge. 

Help litigants in need -- volunteer for a Housing Court Lawyer for the Day program

The following Housing Court sessions have Lawyer for the Day programs.  Contact the Lawyer for the Day coordinators listed below to volunteer.  

Or, send an inquiry to info@masslegalservices.org and we'll direct you to the legal services program that coordinates pro bono work in your preferred location.

Which Housing Courts have Lawyer for the Day programs?

• Central Housing Court
  • Worcester Session -- contact Community Legal Aid to volunteer
• Eastern Housing Court
  • Boston Session -- contact the Volunteer Lawyers Project to volunteer
  • Cambridge Session – contact Community Legal Services and Counseling Center (CLSACC) to volunteer
• Northeast Housing Court -
  • Lawrence, Lowell and Lynn Sessions -- contact Northeast Legal Aid to volunteer
  • Salem Session -- contact North Shore Community Action Programs to volunteer
  • Woburn Session -- contact Housing Families to volunteer
• Western Housing Court -
  • Springfield Session -- contact Community Legal Aid or Hampden County Bar Association to volunteer
  • Pittsfield Session -- contact Berkshire County Bar Association to volunteer 
  • Greenfield and Hadley Sessions -- contact Community Legal Aid to volunteer