Look Inside: September 13 Massachusetts Legal Clinic for the Homeless

Kevin, Christian, Amy, Anthony, Carolyn and Jon, of Ropes & Gray, at Pine Street Inn.

Lawyers Clearinghouse hosted the first legal clinic of the fall last Friday at Pine Street Inn, along with six volunteers from Boston law firm Ropes & Gray. The firm’s clinic coordinator, Kevin Daly, attorneys Jon Decker, Anthony Gostanian, Amy Roy and Christian Westra, and paralegal Carolyn Wesnousky, met with eight homeless and low-income clients facing a range of issues, including unpaid debt, acquiring a driver’s license, eviction from public housing and the care of a sick sibling. Often, clients who come to the legal clinics have sought help and guidance from other resources and feel their options are rapidly dwindling. In this way, the legal clinic, which operates biweekly at three area shelters, serves as a sort of safety net for those who are not sure where else to turn.

The day before the clinic, the volunteers met with the executive director of Lawyers Clearinghouse, Maribeth Perry, for a training session. During the session, Maribeth gave an overview of the program and explained clinic procedures. She also fielded questions from first-time volunteers and provided tips for a successful clinic.

The next day at Pine Street Inn, the volunteers split into groups of two to meet with clients. They interviewed them about their needs, looked over relevant documents and talked about next steps.

Amy and Carolyn meet with a client seeking power of attorney over her sister, who was recently diagnosed with dementia.

Afterwards, Pine Street Inn employees Elizabeth Condron and Kristina Lentz spoke with volunteers about Pine Street’s many programs, including multiple shelters, street outreach and job training and placement.

The volunteers then sat down with Maribeth and criminal defense attorney Ellie Hertzberg, of Eleanor R. Hertzberg, Esq. They discussed the eight cases in detail, brainstorming short and long-term solutions for each. They took the information they had gathered back to Ropes & Gray, where they will sit down with the firm’s Pro Bono Committee to get final approval for the cases.

Volunteers discuss the cases with Ellie, a criminal defense lawyer (center), and Maribeth.

The next legal clinic is scheduled for Friday, September 27 at St. Francis House, with volunteers from Edwards Wildman Palmer. Check the calendar for a schedule of all Clearinghouse programs.