Lawyers Clearinghouse

Did you get your copy of the Fall Newsletter? Check it out! https://conta.cc/4fGSRiV Featuring recent events; client feedback; upcoming workshops; and a conversation with CORI Clinic Mentor and A2J Fellow Crispin Birnbaum about the CORI Clinic's impact, ongoing challenges faced by people with records, and much-needed systemic reforms currently being discussed in the MA legislature. Sign up for our email list to receive quarterly newsletters, event invites, and more: https://bit.ly/LCemails

A big THANK YOU to our November Legal Clinic & CORI Clinic volunteers from FM, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP, and Ropes & Gray LLP! We appreciate you taking the time to help clients like Chris (name changed) overcome stressful legal challenges. Need assistance with a civil legal matter (such as eviction, housing discrimination & conditions, SSI/SSDI denials and appeals, credit & tax issues, or wills/trusts/estates) or your Massachusetts criminal record (CORI)? Learn more about our free clinics: https://lnkd.in/eK3S9dWV Want to attend a Legal Clinic in person? Consider joining us at the December 6 clinic at St. Francis House: https://bit.ly/dec6sfh

Starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Massachusetts? Learn everything you need to know at next week's Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop! Already established? Join us at the December 12 Governance & Operations Check-In to review key aspects of your operations with volunteer attorneys from Goodwin in a low-stakes, no-judgement environment! Topics include board structure, finances, state and federal reporting requirements, best practices, and organizational documents. Learn more and apply or register using the links below: 11/18 Incorporation Workshop: https://lnkd.in/ecNxRhBF 12/12 Check-In: https://lnkd.in/euuhxdQS

Please join us in welcoming the 2024-2025 Access to Justice Fellows! This year's class of 14 dedicated senior and retired attorneys and judges will embark on a variety of pro bono projects in partnership with legal services organizations, nonprofits, court programs, and law school clinics to help increase access to justice across the Commonwealth by assisting with casework, advocacy efforts, mentorship, and so much more. It has been such a pleasure to manage this program along with the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and we can't wait to see what the 2024-2025 Fellows have in store! Meet this year's Fellows class and learn more about all 211 Fellows who have participated since 2012: https://lnkd.in/dYAKKKq

Need free assistance with a civil legal issue? Join us at Rosie's Place* next Friday, November 8, to discuss your legal concerns with volunteer attorneys who may be able to help you with matters such as eviction, housing discrimination, SSI/SSDI denials and appeals, and credit and tax issues. We'll be onsite from 8:30 AM-11 AM and walk-ins are welcome, though you may also check your eligibility and sign up in advance by contacting our Clinic Manager, Sean, at 617-544-3434 x. 110. 11/8 Legal Clinic details: https://lnkd.in/e7V6AzCy Or learn more about our free clinic programs, including our CORI Sealing & Expungement Clinic: https://lnkd.in/eK3S9dWV *Please note Rosie's Place is a women-only shelter. If you are not eligible to attend, you are welcome to join us at a future virtual or in-person clinic. Check out our calendar for upcoming dates and locations: https://lnkd.in/efrwvneN or take a look at the full 2024-2025 schedule here: https://lnkd.in/eGuKMQjy

An excellent piece from ProPublica detailing the devastating impacts of homeless encampment sweeps, which traumatize already-vulnerable people and only make it harder for them to access the services they desperately need. This is not an acceptable way to address our ongoing homelessness and housing crisis. "Harold Odom, 64, has been housed for about seven years. But he still thinks about the family photos, including of his late mother and sister, that he said were taken from him in a sweep in Seattle. 'It’s a sense of loss that doesn’t go away,' he said. 'Knowing that my belongings are likely gone for good — trashed or lost forever — fills me with a sadness that’s hard to bear.'" https://lnkd.in/gqtRqHkH

Thank you to our October Legal Clinic and CORI Clinic volunteers from Brown Rudnick LLP, Nixon Peabody LLP, WilmerHale, and Robins Kaplan LLP! With your help, clinic clients like Ryan (name changed) are able to access much-needed housing, benefits, and more. Need assistance with a civil legal matter (such as eviction, housing conditions, SSI/SSDI, or credit & tax issues) or your Massachusetts-based criminal record (CORI)? Learn more about our free virtual and in-person clinics: https://lnkd.in/eK3S9dWV

Today we’re celebrating our 100th CORI Sealing & Expungement Clinic! We first launched the CORI Clinic in 2019 because we believe everyone deserves a second chance, but we know that is often easier said than done. In reality, people who hold criminal records often pay the price long after they have served their time, facing stigma, ostracization, and difficulty accessing employment and housing. So we harnessed our large network of volunteer attorneys and worked with Access to Justice Fellow Crispin Birnbaum to build a program that would connect people who have Massachusetts-based criminal records (known as CORI) with free legal assistance to seal or expunge their records and finally move forward. Five years later, as we mark our 100th Clinic, we'd like to express our gratitude to everyone who has made this program possible. Below is just a fraction of the feedback we have received from past clients who can, thanks to the help they received, finally envision a better future for themselves and their families. “It relieved a lot of stress that I’ve been dealing with for several years, and I am so grateful you guys came on board. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. Words cannot explain the feeling and joy you guys brought back to my life, seriously!” – Samuel*, Former Client “The outcome could not be better […] the flaws on my record are not indicative of the person I am today. I am no longer stigmatized by my record or a reflection of it.” – Lisa*, Former Client “[My attorneys] were there for me and I could not have done this without them. They went above and beyond to help me for years.” – Rachel*, Former Client “I am now able to apply for jobs without prejudice. Thank you for giving me my life back.” – Sierra*, Former Client “[My lawyer] took the time to go through a lot of paperwork and tackle all of the parts of my case. He put in a lot of work and time and really gave his all to the case. I am in a much better situation now.” – Richard*, Former Client “They kept contact with me and did everything they said they were going to. It opened a lot of opportunities for me.” – Aaron*, Former Client “The attorney I had was very friendly and nice explained everything in language I could understand. Best experience I ever had dealing with the legal system.” – Serena*, Former Client *All names changed to protect client privacy.

We're so excited to be back at the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) Annual Conference this year! It's always inspiring to connect with so many amazing MA nonprofits, learn more about their important work and the communities they serve, and explore ideas for future collaboration. Pictured: Clearinghouse Outreach & Programs Manager Rachel Scully-Gonzalez (right) with Margaret Patkus, Development & Communications Coordinator at Community Cooks, a Somerville-based nonprofit that partners with community members, local businesses, educational groups, and other agencies to provide nourishing homecooked meals for neighbors in need.

We're teaming up with volunteers from Goodwin for another virtual Nonprofit Governance and Operations Check-In! Join us from 1-4 PM on December 12 for a combination workshop and consultation where volunteer attorneys will help you review key aspects of your operations, including: - State and Federal registration and reporting obligations - Corporate structure, organizational documents and policies - Board operations - Operational best practices - Finances and fiscal management Learn more and register or apply here: https://lnkd.in/euuhxdQS. Note: All nonprofits are welcome to attend the workshop portion from 1-2 PM, while consultations from 2-4 PM are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations.