Bar Foundation Staff

Other: ____________

State Support Program

State Support Function

Access to Justice Program

Statewide Direct Delivery

Independent Program

The Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA) Community Services Department publishes a comprehensive directory of pro bono opportunities statewide and refers attorneys to programs listed in the directory. MBA supports pro bono by providing CLE coupons to pro bono programs to recruit and reward participating attorneys. In addition, the Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts' largest local bar established the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) in 1977 to provide legal representation in civil matters to the indigent of Boston through the pro bono services of private attorneys and paralegals. In addition to operating its core pro bono effort, VLP contracts with clinical programs at two of the area's law schools (Boston College and Harvard) as well as with the Legal Advocacy and Resource Center to operate a hotline to screen and refer clients to appropriate legal and social services and/or advise clients when services are not available or necessary. All efforts are augmented by a modest in-house case handling capacity.

* 1,000 Boston VLP

% of Funding paid by the Bar 100%

% of Funding paid by the IOLTA n/a

Other (LSC, Foundations) n/a

state supreme court ethical rule

rule similar to Revised ABA MR 6.1 (includes hours and categories)

pre 1993 version of ABA MR 6.1

* media publicity

* mass mailings to new admittees

* targeted mailings

* work with individual law firms

* bar event presentations

* personal contacts/phone calls

phonathons

* bar section or committee presentations/projects

* sponsor substantive legal training for volunteers

coordinate training programs for legal services providers

publish training materials

assist development of local programs

coordinate activities with providers (i.e. training, recruitment)

* state pro bono coordinators meeting

liaison with state bar foundation

outreach to programs

sponsor state pro bono conference

provide technical assistance to:

law firms

corporate counsel

governmental attorney offices

program awards

state bar foundation sponsored awards

personal letters

* honor roll

certificates

* direct case referrals to volunteers

case referral to pro bono programs

statewide or regional:

centralized intake

* hotline

clinics

involved in legislative advocacy

participate in state planning for legal services and pro bono

* pro bono ethics rules/resolutions/reporting

* delivery of legal services/legal aid

Access to Justice

Other ____________

web site (address: In progress)

* fax referrals

* linkage between pro bono programs (e-mail)

* Activities of the VLP only