FAQs
Q: What exactly does Lawyers Clearinghouse do?
A: Lawyers Clearinghouse was founded in 1988 by the Boston Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association to connect nonprofit organizations working to promote affordable housing and alleviate homelessness with pro bono legal assistance provided by volunteer attorneys. Since then, the Clearinghouse has expanded the scope of its services to include workshops and consultations for nonprofits and lawyers, legal clinics for people who are homeless or very low-income, a CORI sealing and expungement program, a tax lien foreclosure clinic in partnership with the Massachusetts Land Court, and the Access to Justice Fellows Program to engage retired lawyers and judges in pro bono pursuits.
Q: Why have a clearinghouse instead of offering direct legal services?
A: The clearinghouse model allows us to operate efficiently and effectively. By fostering relationships with hundreds of lawyers throughout the Commonwealth, we are able to draw from a large pool of talented lawyers who want to volunteer their time and skills to serve others. This eliminates our need for a large staff and helps us maximize our impact on a small budget. It also provides a unique opportunity for transactional attorneys to apply their expertise on a pro bono basis.
Q: Which nonprofits are eligible for a referral to a pro bono attorney through Lawyers Clearinghouse?
A: The Clearinghouse provides referrals to Massachusetts nonprofit corporations or nonprofit unincorporated associations (and founders of Massachusetts nonprofit corporations) that:
• Serve people living with low or moderate income, or other disadvantaged communities, and
• Are unable to pay legal fees without significantly impairing program resources
Please contact the Nonprofit Assistance Programs Manager with questions about the eligibility of (i) fiscal sponsors or fiscally sponsored projects and (ii) nonprofits incorporated in other states, with their principal office and substantial programs in Massachusetts.
Q: How does a nonprofit request pro bono legal assistance?
A: Complete the Lawyers Clearinghouse Request for Nonprofit Legal Assistance. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact the Nonprofit Assistance Programs Manager.
Q: What sort of cases do you take at Clinics?
A: We take on a variety of civil legal cases for referral. Common cases include helping clients appeal denials and terminations of social security benefits, assisting them with housing issues and tax lien foreclosure, and sealing Massachusetts criminal records (CORIs). We do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc.), or immigration cases, nor do we represent defendants in criminal trials.
Q: Who are the attorneys who take pro bono cases through the Clearinghouse?
A: Hundreds of lawyers from dozens of Massachusetts law firms and in-house legal departments, both large and small, often practicing transactional law.
Q: How does someone get pro bono legal assistance for a civil legal issue or their criminal record (CORI)?
A: Assistance with civil legal matters is available virtually or in person through the Legal Clinic for the Homeless. Clients must be homeless or have a household income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and may be referred by any organization or may contact our Clinic Manager directly. We also welcome walk-ins at in-person clinics.
Assistance sealing or expunging Massachusetts-based criminal records (CORI) is available through the virtual CORI Sealing & Expungement Clinic. There is no income cap for this program. To sign up, please fill out this short form and someone will follow up with you. Please note it may take some time to hear back, depending on the length of the waitlist.
Check the calendar for upcoming clinic dates or view the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule.
Q: Who are our shelter partners?
We receive referrals from a number of organizations including, but not limited to: Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, Medeiros Center, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Metro Housing|Boston, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Southampton Street Shelter, Woods Mullen, Women’s Lunch Place, WATCH CDC, and Father Bill’s & MainSpring. You do not need to be receiving services from one of these organizations, or be referred by them, to attend a clinic.
Q: How much will it cost to get a lawyer?
A: We find lawyers who are willing to take cases pro bono, meaning there is no cost for the legal services provided to clients. Some fees apply for the Nonprofit Assistance Programs. Please check the Nonprofit Programs page for more information.
Q: How is the Lawyers Clearinghouse funded?
A: We rely on foundation grants, law firm and individual donations, and our annual fundraiser to support our operations. Take a look at our financial information here.