| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Updated February 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Legal Resources - Domestic Violence | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | Please note that additional domestic violence legal resources, support, and advocacy can be accessed through such organizations as Greater Boston Legal Services and Rosie's Place (listed here) as well as REACH (Beyond Domestic Violence), Renewal House, and Transition House (all three found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1USWBCf6s5MQQ4Z0Q8kvOkWSXD53b8qTEvNXo9bO85qA/edit#gid=115403282) -- all provide various forms of support to address different and intersecting needs related to domestic violence cases. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | Name | Contact | Description | Website | ||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | Legal Representation (The following is first listed based on proximity to the CWC, then alphabetically.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | DeNovo Center for Justice and Healing (Formerly Community Legal Services and Counseling Center) (CAMBRIDGE) | Phone: (617) 661-1010 47 Thorndike St, Cambridge, MA, 02141 (Suite B, Lower Level, 1) Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM- 5PM | Provides legal help in the areas of housing and homelessness prevention, family law/domestic violence, immigration law, and disability benefits, as well as a full range of mental health services and case management to help clients cope with the emotional impact of trauma. Areas of Legal Assistance: Disability Benefits Family Law Housing Law Immigration Law Fees range from $2 to $60 per visit. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. Certain refugee and immigrant victims of crime, such as domestic violence, political trauma, and torture, are able to receive counseling and social services free of charge. | Clientele: https://www.denovo.org/who-we-serve Family Law: https://www.denovo.org/familylaw Immigration: https://www.denovo.org/immigration Housing: https://www.denovo.org/housing Disability Benefits: https://www.denovo.org/disabilitybenefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | Harvard Defenders (Harvard Law School) (CAMBRIDGE) | 1607 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 208 (Second Floor) Cambridge, MA 02138 Main Line: 617-495-3111 Legal Referral Hotline: 617-495-4413 Email: defender@law.harvard.edu Days and Hours: Case Intake & Referrals: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Hotline (Academic Year): Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Each year approximately 85 Harvard Law students volunteer to provide pro-bono representation to low-income defendants in criminal show-cause hearings and assist callers with other legal issues through their extensive referral network. Harvard Defenders is the only legal service organization in Massachusetts that represents low-income defendants for free in criminal show-cause hearings. Each year, students represent clients accused of a wide variety of crimes, including assault and battery, larceny, shoplifting, assault with a dangerous weapon, criminal harassment, and identity fraud. In addition, for those with legal issues not related to show-cause hearings, Defenders’ full-time telephone referral service helps callers understand their legal needs and directs them to other legal service agencies. Areas of Legal Assistance: Criminal Law Harvard Defenders primarily focuses on these areas of legal assistance: • Providing free legal representation to low-income individuals accused in criminal show-cause hearings before clerk-magistrates in the district courts. • Providing free legal representation to low-income individuals eligible for sealing of their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI sealings). • Providing free referral services to callers who need legal assistance beyond the show-cause level. | Main Page: https://clinics.law.harvard.edu/defenders/ Services: https://clinics.law.harvard.edu/defenders/for-those-seeking-help/ Legal Referral Hotline: https://clinics.law.harvard.edu/defenders/for-those-seeking-help/legal-referral/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
8 | Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (Harvard Law School) (CAMBRIDGE) | 23 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-4408 Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | The Harvard Legal Aid Bureau is a student-run civil legal aid organization committed to providing free representation to low-income and marginalized communities in the Greater Boston Area. Areas of Legal Assistance: Family Law Housing Law Government Benefits Wage & Hour The Harvard Legal Aid Bureau also offers an Eviction Defense Clinic and Pro Se Divorce Clinic. | General Information: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/about-us/ Housing: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/legal-services/housing/ Family: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/seeking-legal-help/ Government Benefits: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/legal-services/government-benefits/ Wage & Hour: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/legal-services/wage-hour/ Eviction Defense Clinic: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/projects/eviction-clinic/ FAQs: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/seeking-legal-help/frequently-asked-questions/ Additional Resources: https://www.harvardlegalaid.org/self-help-pro-se/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
9 | Asian Task Force (ATASK) (BOSTON) | Serves Greater Boston and Lowell areas. Phones: Helpline: 617-338-2355 (24-hour multilingual) Main Office: 617-338-2350, ext. 241 Email: legalprogram@atask.org Days and Hours (General Hours of Operation): Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | The organization's legal services are for domestic violence and trafficking victims of Asian heritage. Case managers collectively speak more than 15 Asian languages. For immigration matters, they offer full representation for survivors of DV and trafficking on humanitarian immigration applications and related petitions. For family law-related matters, limited appearance representation is available, and the organization also provides brief service and referrals in collateral poverty law areas, including public benefits, tenant rights, and consumer rights. Areas of Legal Assistance: Abuse and Harassment Prevention Child Custody Child / Spousal Support Citizenship assistance for disabled, low-income or LEP survivors Consumer Rights Divorce “Green Card,” Relative Petitions Housing Rights Humanitarian Immigration Relief Language Access Rights Public Benefits Restraining Orders Victim Rights Legal assistance by appointment. Hotline runs 24 hours. | https://www.atask.org/programs-services/legal-advocacy/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
10 | Boston College Legal Services Lab (BOSTON) | 885 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02459 617-552-0248 Email: bclegalserviceslab@bc.edu Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Law students provide free legal services to low-income individuals and families under the direction of a supervising attorney. The firm’s staff now includes 15 supervising attorneys, 50-60 law students, a fiscal specialist, a paralegal, a clinical fellow, and graduate-level social work students who work as part of the legal team under the supervision of a licensed social worker. Areas of Legal Assistance: Child Health and Education Civil Rights Family Justice Housing Justice Immigration Notes: • If a potential client has a housing problem, wants a divorce, or is having a problem with special education matters, they must be low-income and live in Waltham, Watertown, or Newton. • If a potential client is looking for help with the kind of legal issues handled by BC’s transactional clinics (CEC and EIC), they must live in the Greater Boston Area and not be able to afford a private attorney. • If a potential client has an immigration problem they must be referred by attorneys or other social and legal services providers. • BC’s legal services are free in most cases. • In some cases, clients may be required to pay certain court fees or filing fees. | Home Page: https://bclawlab.org/ General Information: https://bclawlab.org/about Current Clinics: https://bclawlab.org/civil-litigation-child-health-and-education FAQs: https://bclawlab.org/faq | ||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | Casa Myrna Legal Advocacy Program (BOSTON) | 451 Blue Hill Avenue, Boston, MA 02121 Corner of Blue Hill Ave and Warren St, closest to Ruggles T Stop (Orange Line), take 23 bus from Ruggles Station Legal Helpline: (617) 521-0146 Email: legalintake@casemyrna.org Days and hours: N/A (contact for more information) | Attorneys and advocates work with survivors who, due to linguistic, cultural, and economic barriers, would not be able to access representation through normal channels. The Legal Advocacy Program provides emergency legal services as well as full representation in Probate and Family Court matters. The program provides clients with continued representation after the initial restraining order hearing. Legal assistance by appointment, call helpline for intake. Areas of Legal Assistance: Domestic Violence Probate and Family Court Matters | About: https://www.casamyrna.org/get-support/legal-advocacy/ Contact page: https://casamyrna.org/contact/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | Greater Boston Legal Services (BOSTON/CAMBRIDGE) | Boston Location (Main Office): 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114 Cambridge/Somerville Location: 60 Gore Street, Suite 203, Cambridge, MA 02141 Boston Phone: Main Line/Intake: 617-371-1234 Toll-Free: 800-323-3205 Cambridge/Somerville Phone: 617-603-2700 Days and Hours: Walk-in: Monday & Thursday, 1:30 - 4:00 pm Telephone Intake: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm | GBLS attorneys and paralegals provide critical legal advice and representation to low-income individuals. Their mission is to provide free legal assistance (i.e., shelter, food, safety, and stability) to families and individuals living in poverty to help them assert their rights and secure the most basic necessities of life. Areas of Legal Assistance: Abuse Prevention Orders for Elders, DV Survivors, and Disabled Consumer Rights Criminal Record Sealing and Re-Entry Criminal Vacatur Debt Collection/Bankruptcy Education and School to Prison Pipeline Employment Law: Workers’ Rights and Unemployment Benefits Family Government Benefits Healthcare Benefits/Nursing Home Rights Housing Immigration Shelter Social Security/SSI/State Supplemental Benefits Taxes Victims of Crime Notes: • GBLS’ Intake Workers speak the following languages: Cantonese; English; Haitian Creole; Mandarin; Portuguese; Spanish. • GBLS guidelines allow the firm to accept clients earning up to 125% of the federal poverty level. • For some types of cases, they can accept clients earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level. • Elder recipients and victims of crime/survivors of homicide victims served by CLAVC are not subject to the income guidelines. • Medicare beneficiaries are not subject to GBLS income guidelines when seeking assistance with Medicare issues. • If one is a victim of a crime who is seeking legal services because of the results of that crime, then no income restrictions apply. Among GBS’ Clientele Are: • Survivors of domestic violence and their children needing protections against abuse. • Unhoused families seeking access to emergency shelter or permanent housing. • Families facing destitution in need of subsistence benefits. • Low-income renters facing possible homelessness. • Elders and individuals with disabilities in need of critical income and medical benefits. • Immigrants fleeing torture and persecution needing protection in our country. • Low-wage workers denied their earned wages and benefits. | Services (General): https://www.gbls.org/what-we-do Services (Current): https://www.gbls.org/accessing-services Eligibility Requirements: https://www.gbls.org/get-legal-help/towns-served Get Help: https://www.gbls.org/get-legal-help | ||||||||||||||||||||||
13 | Rosie's Place | Legal Helpline: 617.318.0271 889 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118. Near intersection of Harrison Ave and East Lenox St. Closest to Massachusetts Ave (Orange Line) T Stop. email: info@rosiesplace.org | From information and resources to full representation—we offer a spectrum of in-person and remote legal services to help our guests. We can help guests with: Housing Issues, Family Law, Immigration, CORI Sealing, Debt, and General advice and referral. Our Legal Program helps guests overcome obstacles that could prevent them from fair and equitable access to the justice that our legal system can provide. Some of those barriers include access to technology, receiving services in their preferred language and requirements that create feelings of intimidation, fear and confusion. In order to provide the most comprehensive help we can, we contract with Greater Boston Legal Services and Rian Immigrant Center. | https://www.rosiesplace.org/how-we-help/ongoing-support/legal-services | ||||||||||||||||||||||
14 | Victim Rights Law Center (BOSTON) | 11 Beacon Street, Suite 520, Boston, MA 02108 Phones: Main Line: 617-399-6720, ext. 19 Local (Español): 617-399-6720, ext. 35 Toll-Free: 877-758-8132, ext. 19 Toll-Free (Español): 877-758-8132, ext. 35 Email: legalhelp@victimrights.org Days and Hours: Not listed on site; call to make your specific appointment. | The Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) provides free, comprehensive legal services for sexual assault victims with civil legal issues in Massachusetts. • Victims do not have to report to the police to get legal help from the VRLC. • The VRLC provides free legal services in Massachusetts. • The VRLC is only able to help victims of sexual assault. In Massachusetts, they can also help victims of stalking with a sexual component. • The information on this website is not legal advice. Please call the VRLC office for more information. • Intake lines are open to receive voicemails 24/7. • The VRLC does not accept walk-ins. To ensure survivor privacy and make sure they have adequate time with each client, VRLC attorneys hold meetings by appointment only. • Through free legal services, staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys help ensure that survivors may stay in school; protect their privileged and confidential mental health, medical, and education records; preserve their employment; maintain safe housing; secure their immigration status; and swiftly access survivor compensation and other benefits. Areas of Legal Assistance: Criminal Justice Advocacy Education Employment Financial Housing Immigration Privacy Safety Sexual Assault Stability | Home Page: https://victimrights.org/ General Information: https://victimrights.org/about-us/ Legal Help: • https://victimrights.org/legal-help/ • https://victimrights.org/how-the-vrlc-can-help/ Resource Library: https://victimrights.org/resource-library/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
15 | Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (BOSTON) | 7 Winthrop Square, 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02110 Phones: Main Line: 617-423-0648 Legal Intake Helpline: 617-603-1700 Days and Hours (Call Center): Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Tuesday, 12:30 - 3:30 pm Fax Us 617.423.0061 | The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) has been dedicated to serving families and individuals in the Greater Boston Area from low- income households. Attorneys represent US citizens, green card holders, and certain immigrants with lawful status. VLP Attorneys are Boston-area attorneys that volunteer pro-bono time. They provide a variety of services, including but not limited to civil appeals, consumer/bankruptcy, employment, family law, guardianship, housing, and probate. Areas of Legal Assistance: Bankruptcy Civil Appeals Consumer Family & Guardianship Housing Landlord Advocacy Unemployment Wage & Hour Wills | Programs & Services: https://vlpnet.org/what-we-do/ Get Legal Help: https://vlpnet.org/get-help/ Additional Resources: https://vlpnet.org/get-help/other-resources/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | Women's Bar Foundation (Family Law Project for Domestic Abuse Survivors) (BOSTON) | 105 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA (Eighth Floor) Main Line: 617-973-6666 Intake: 617-973-6666, ext. 2216 Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information) | The Women's Bar Foundation (WBF) is dedicated to ensuring access to justice for low-income individuals and committed to providing free legal assistance to low-income individuals and their families. They connect low-income survivors of domestic violence with pro bono legal representation and advocate for clients through abuse prevention hearings and family law cases. To administer its programs, the WBF recruits volunteer lawyers, conducts intensive training led by experts throughout the Commonwealth, and provides mentors to ensure that volunteer attorneys receive the guidance necessary to provide excellent legal assistance. Areas of Legal Assistance: Elder Law Family Law Women’s Prison & Re-entry | The Family Law Project for Domestic Abuse Survivors: https://wbawbf.org/wbf/pro-bono-projects/family-law-project-domestic-abuse-survivors Intake Form: https://wbawbf.org/wbf/forms/family-law-project-client-intake-form Contact Page: https://wbawbf.org/wbf/contact-us | ||||||||||||||||||||||
17 | Metrowest Legal Services (GREATER BOSTON AREA) | 63 Fountain Street, Suite 304, Framingham, MA 01702 (Accessible by Framingham/Worchester Communter Rail; get off at Framingham stop.) Main Line: 508-620-1830 Toll-Free: 800-696-1501 Days and Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | MetroWest Legal Services provides legal advocacy to protect and advance the rights of people living with lower income or disabilities, or those who are over the age of 60. They assist those they serve in obtaining legal, social, and economic justice. Areas of Legal Assistance: Elder Law Family Law Government Benefits Housing Law Immigration Law School & Student Rights | Home Page: https://mwlegal.org/ General Information: https://mwlegal.org/who-we-are/mission-history/ Legal Help Overview: https://mwlegal.org/get-legal-help/ Eligibility: https://mwlegal.org/get-legal-help/eligibility/ FAQs: https://mwlegal.org/get-legal-help/faqs/ Clinics, Community Education, and Training: https://mwlegal.org/get-legal-help/brief-advice-clinics/ Apply for Legal Help: https://mwlegal.org/get-legal-help/apply-for-legal-help/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
18 | Legal Advocacy & Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
19 | Committee for Public Counsel Services (Children and Family Law Division) (BOSTON) | 75 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 617-482-6212 Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Lawyers in CPCS’s Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) represent children and parents in cases in which the Department of Children and Families (DCF) removes children from their homes because of claims of neglect or abuse. | Quick Information: https://www.publiccounsel.net/dir/boston-cafl-admin/ Children and Family Law Division (Specific): https://www.publiccounsel.net/cafl/ Client Resources: https://www.publiccounsel.net/cafl/client/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
20 | Domestic Violence Institute (Northeastern University) (BOSTON) | 416 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 DVI Legal Clinic: 857-327-7650 General (School of Law): 617-373-5149 Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information) | The Domestic Violence Institute (DVI) is a resource for victims of domestic violence, and anyone seeking information or help with domestic violence. Students and attorneys in our DVI Legal Clinic may provide representation in legal matters ranging from obtaining Abuse Prevention Orders to consultation on issues such as: • Advocacy, information and referral services • Assistance applying for Victim Compensation (if eligible) • Help identifying resources for things like food, housing, child care, and other necessities • Help locating mental health counseling and legal services • Safety planning Notes: • For general questions and support for finding alternative legal services organizations, please visit the DVI site or contact Professor Hayat Bearat, interim director of the Domestic Violence Institute, at h.bearat@northeastern.edu. • Services are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. • If potential clients are unable to reach a person directly, please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. • No bills are sent for DVI’s services, so there is no paper trail that could get back to the individual committing the abuse or violence. • Representation is extremely limited. | General Information on the Domestic Violence Institute: https://law.northeastern.edu/academics/centers/dvi/ Home Page: https://dvilegal.org/our-clinic Clinic Process: https://dvilegal.org/our-process Additional Resources: https://dvilegal.org/resources | ||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | Mass Law Reform Institute | 40 Court Street, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 617-357-0700 Email: info@mlri.org Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information) | Mass Law Reform Institute (MLRI)’s advocacy goals in family law and domestic violence are to protect domestic violence survivors and their children when they must interact with the court system and state agencies, and to provide expertise and support to legal aid attorneys, allied family law practitioners, and advocates who work with domestic violence survivors. Call or email to set up an appointment. Note: This is a referral resource only. MLRI does NOT provide legal representation to individual clients, but still offers helpful resources and information. | https://www.mlri.org/advocacy/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
66 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
67 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
82 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
91 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
97 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||