About MLAC
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) was established by the Commonwealth in 1983 to ensure that low-income people with critical non-criminal legal problems would have access to legal information, advice and representation.
MLAC is the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs in Massachusetts.
News by Category
MLAC in the News
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Press Releases
Assistance available to low-income landlords (The Standard Times)
In a February 16 article, The Standard Times highlighted the Volunteer Lawyers Project’s (VLP) Landlord Advocacy program, which is providing free legal assistance to landlords with low incomes in Massachusestts. An excerpt from the article is below. – His tenant had not paid rent for close to a year, and the landlord filed an eviction […]
Mass. vocational schools policy violates student civil rights, complaint says (The Boston Globe)
In a Feb. 2 article, The Boston Globe reported on a complaint filed in federal court against the state of Massachusetts about the admissions practices of vocational schools. The Center for Law and Education, along with Lawyers for Civil Rights, filed the complaint. An excerpt of the article is below. — Massachusetts vocational schools and […]
Talk to the Hill draws more than 1,000 people to support $49M for civil legal aid in FY24
BOSTON, January 27– On Thursday, Governor Maura Healey, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, bar association leaders, and legal aid clients joined a virtual gathering of more than 1,000 people – including 755 members of the private bar and several dozen law students – for Talk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid. The […]
Hundreds of lawyers, advocates to join virtual “Talk to the Hill” event asking Massachusetts state legislators for increased civil legal aid funding
January 26 lobby day seeks $49M for civil legal aid in FY24 BOSTON, January 24 – Governor Maura Healey, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, bar association leaders, and legal aid clients will join a virtual gathering of hundreds of private attorneys and law students on Thursday, January 26, at 11 a.m. for Talk […]
Lawsuit alleges racial discrimination in tenant screening tool (CommonWealth Magazine)
CommonWealth Magazine recently reported on developments in the Louis vs. SafeRent Solutions case. An excerpt of the article is below. The plaintiffs in this case are represented by attorneys from Greater Boston Legal Services; the Washington, DC-based firm Cohen, Milstein, Sellers & Toll; and the Boston-based National Consumer Law Center. — Two Black women from […]
Equal Justice Coalition recognizes four law firms and UMass Law for legal aid advocacy
Awards recognize exceptional participation at the 2022 Talk to the Hill The Equal Justice Coalition has recognized four law firms and UMass Law School for outstanding participation in the 2022 Talk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid. The award winners are: Ropes & Gray, winner of the Highest Participation Award Goodwin Procter, winner of […]
University of New Hampshire (UNH) School of Law profiles Lynne Parker, MLAC Executive Director, in Alumni Spotlight
Below is an excerpt from the UNH Franklin Pierce alumni blog article, published on December 1, 2022. UNH Franklin Pierce Alumni Spotlight: Lynne Parker, JD ’88 As she was nearing her college graduation, Lynne Parker, JD ’88 knew she wanted to enter the Peace Corps. Her experience through volunteering to help women in Guatemala start […]
Three hour wait, three days in a row: Massachusetts shelter hotline leaves some families desperate (WBUR)
A Nov. 22 WBUR article quoted Greater Boston Legal Services attorney Liz Alfred on the difficulties families face accessing the Massachusetts family shelter system. Alfred helped a mother—recently-evicted and a survivor of domestic violence—and her child find a room at a state-run shelter, and commented on the conditions that make the system challenging to navigate. […]