Lawyers Clearinghouse

Free CORI Sealing Clinic (Virtual)
2024-09-12 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-02 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-10 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-24 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-12-05 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-12-19 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) and 4 more dates | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need your CORI (criminal record) sealed or expunged? You may be eligible for free assistance from a volunteer attorney, conducted via Zoom video conferencing. Please note, this service is only intended for people with Massachusetts-based criminal records.
How it Works:

To get started, sign up for the waitlist.
When you get to the top of the waitlist, Lawyers Clearinghouse will call you to schedule your clinic date and get your consent to pull a copy of your CORI. Note: It may take some time to receive a date depending on the length of the waitlist.
On your scheduled clinic date, you will meet with volunteer attorneys for 30-60 minutes over video conferencing or by phone. They will share your CORI with you and discuss the eligibility of your record for sealing and/or expungement.
If you are eligible, the attorneys will work with you on filing a petition to request sealing and/or expungement and discuss next steps. If you are not currently eligible, they will discuss your timeline for eligibility. Note: It will take a few months to receive a final sealing and/or expungement decision from Probation or the court.

View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule
Questions? Contact Sean by email or at 617-544-3434 ext. 110.

Free Legal Clinic (St. Francis House)
2024-09-13 08:30 - 11:00, 2024-12-06 08:30 - 11:00 | St. Francis House, 39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
Walk-ins are welcome at in-person clinics. If you would like to sign up in advance or discuss your legal concern in more detail, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil: sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

Free Legal Clinic (Virtual)
2024-09-27 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-25 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
To sign up, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil, to discuss your legal concerns in more detail:
sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

WISP Consultation (Hybrid)
2024-10-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Massachusetts law requires any corporate entity operating in MA which handles personal information (PI) to develop and enforce a Written Information Security Program (WISP).
Apply to join us for a two-part WISP training and consultation, where you will receive assistance updating or creating a WISP tailored to your organization.
This consultation will start with a one-hour training covering cybersecurity at the operational level, followed by one-on-one breakout sessions staffed by volunteer attorneys who will review your current WISP and make recommendations as necessary, or discuss how to develop a new WISP for your nonprofit if needed.
Training Presenter: Ann Westerheim, Ekaru
Volunteer Attorneys: Morgan Lewis and Citizens Bank
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon. You may be asked to provide a copy of your current WISP, if applicable.
Consultation fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports our pro bono programs, however it is not required if paying it would impose a difficulty.
Hybrid event: Accepted organizations may attend virtually via Zoom or in person at Morgan Lewis (1 Federal St, Boston, MA). Waitlisted organizations are welcome to attend the training portion virtually.

Free Legal Clinic (BHCHP)
2024-10-11 08:30 - 11:00, 2025-01-10 08:30 - 23:00 | Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), 780 Albany St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States

Free Legal Clinic (Rosie's Place)
2024-11-08 08:30 - 11:00 | Rosie’s Place (Women-Only), 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
PLEASE NOTE: This week’s clinic will be held at Rosie’s Place, a women-only shelter.
Walk-ins are welcome, but if you would like to sign up in advance or discuss your legal concern in more detail, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil: sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients (Virtual)
2024-11-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-02-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
*Note: This training is not designed to help advise nonprofits on their hiring practices. It is solely focused on assisting clients with criminal records.*
Registration: Sign up here. You will receive a Zoom link upon registration.
This criminal records training is intended for nonprofits whose staff are involved with counseling or offering services in the community to individuals who may have criminal records. It will address the following:

What exactly is a criminal record in Massachusetts? Who has the data? Who gets access to the data?
How can a nonprofit help a client reduce the barriers posed by criminal records?
What is the process to seal a CORI? Can I refer my client to free legal resources for sealing?
What rights do individuals with a sealed CORI have when they are applying for a job? Housing?
What is the process to expunge a charge on a CORI? Are there free legal resources?
What are the concerns for an individual with a CORI who has an immigration issue?

Presenter: Crispin Birnbaum, Access to Justice Fellow

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2024-11-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization, however if it’s difficult to pay you may still register and attend the workshop without it.
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

For-profit or nonprofit?
What is a nonprofit?
Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship
State reporting & regulation
Federal tax exemption
Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin

Massachusetts Nonprofit Governance & Operations Check-In (Virtual)
2024-12-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Good governance and operations are the foundation for a strong and effective organization! Join us at this Nonprofit Check-In for a one-hour workshop, followed by a private consultation with volunteer attorneys.
Topics will include:

State and Federal registration and reporting obligations
Corporate structure, organizational documents and policies
Board operations
Operational best practices
Finances and fiscal management

This is a two-part program:
1-2 PM: One-hour good governance workshop (open to all Massachusetts nonprofits)
2-4 PM: Private consultation with volunteer attorneys (501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits only)
During the consultation, volunteer attorneys from Goodwin will review key aspects of the organization’s current governance and operational practices. Eligible organizations may request a referral through Lawyers Clearinghouse to follow up on legal issues.
Registration: Apply or register here. Any Massachusetts nonprofit may register to attend the workshop only, while officers, board members, executive directors, and senior managers of Massachusetts nonprofit corporations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) are welcome to register for the workshop and private consultation.

Fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, but you may still attend even if you are unable to pay.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2025-01-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization, however if it’s difficult to pay you may still register and attend the workshop without it.
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

For-profit or nonprofit?
What is a nonprofit?
Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship
State reporting & regulation
Federal tax exemption
Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; Natalie Chaudhury, Goodwin

Free Legal Clinic (Virtual)
2025-01-24 09:00 - 23:00, 2025-02-21 09:00 - 23:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
Appointments are required for virtual clinics. To sign up, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil, to discuss your legal concerns in more detail:
sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

Free Legal Clinic (Rosie's Place)
2025-02-07 08:30 - 11:00 | Rosie’s Place (Women-Only), 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
Please note: Rosie’s Place is a women-only shelter. If you are not eligible to attend, please view the calendar or the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule for additional clinics dates.
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
Walk-ins are welcome at in-person clinics. If you would like to sign up in advance or discuss your legal concern in more detail, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil: sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

Access to Justice Fellows Program Information Session (Virtual)
2025-03-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Are you seeking meaningful pro bono opportunities as you enter retirement or wind down your legal practice? Do you want to help nonprofits, legal services organizations, and the courts enhance their operations and increase access to justice? Consider becoming an Access to Justice Fellow!
Join us for a virtual Information Session on Tuesday, March 4 to learn more about this innovative pro bono program for senior attorneys and retired judges.
Registration: Click here. You will receive a follow-up email with the Zoom information.
Session Panelists:
Crispin Birnbaum, 2018-19 Fellow, Lawyers Clearinghouse
Hon. Cynthia Cohen (Ret.), 2017-18 Fellow, MA Access to Justice Commission
Hon. Wilbur Edwards Jr. (Ret.), 2019-20 Fellow, Justice Bridge Legal Center
Susan Gedrick, Executive Director, Lawyers Clearinghouse
Martha Koster, Co-founder, 2012-13 Fellow, PAIR Project
Stuart Rossman, 2024-25 Fellow, Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School
Hon. Ernest Sarason (Ret.), 2019-20 Fellow, Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association
This event is sponsored by the Delivery of Legal Services Section of the Boston Bar Association.
