Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)
- To Volunteer, Contact:
- Organization Type: Nonprofit Legal Services Provider
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Location:
197 Friend StreetBoston, MA 02114
- Map: maps.google.com
- Phone: 617-371-1234
- Fax: 617-371-1222
- Website: https://www.gbls.org/get-involved/probono
GBLS's mission is to provide high quality legal representation in civil matters to as many low income individual families as possible.
Every year Greater Boston Legal Services helps more than 10,000 low-income families and individuals solve their civil (non-criminal) legal problems. We represent our clients in court, at appeals, in hearings before administrative law judges, and with advice and paperwork, both as individuals and through partnerships with community organizations. We have a special focus on "impact litigation" and our attorneys have frequently submitted appellate briefs and appeared before the state's highest court.
GBLS staff provide trainings across the state and at national conferences to low-income families, social services agencies, and legal aid organizations. In addition to direct client services, GBLS engages in legislative and systemic law reform advocacy in an effort to help all residents of the Commonwealth.
As a Pro Bono Volunteer, you can help low-income members of our community achieve stability and security and meet their basic needs, including food, housing, and safety from abuse. GBLS provides training and support for all pro bono projects, and has opportunities to fit your schedule and experience level.
- County(s) of Volunteer Opportunity: Middlesex, Suffolk
- Area of law: Disability, Elder Law, Employment, Family & Juvenile, Foreclosure, Health, Homeless, Housing, Immigration & Naturalization, Public Benefits, Taxes, CORI, Criminal Record Sealing, Re-Entry
- Populations Served: Asylum Seekers, Children, Communities of Color, Domestic Violence Victims, Elderly, Human Trafficking Survivors, Immigrant youth and unaccompanied minors, Immigrants, Individuals who are not in legal immigration status, Individuals with criminal histories, Individuals with physical/mental disabilities, Lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender, Low Income, Persons with Disabilities, Working poor and unemployed
- Opportunities For: Interpreters, Law Students, Lawyers, Paralegals
- Malpractice insurance is provided for volunteers: Yes
- Training Provided: Yes
- Training Required: No
- CLE credit for trainings: No
- Training / Supervision Comments: Orientation, reference materials, training, manual and supervision.
- CLE credit for pro bono: No
- Mentoring or supervision offered: Yes
- Volunteer lawyers need to meet a caseload or hours requirement: No
- Types of projects in need of Pro Bono help: Client counseling (e.g., brief advice), Draft legal documents (e.g., briefs), Legal Research, Litigation: Trial/Direct Representation
- Other Project Types: Attorneys provide legal information, advice and representation. Paralegal provide some legal information and legal representation and research. Law students assist with research, brief writing and legal representation.
- Volunteers may participate long-distance: No