Lawyers Clearinghouse

An excellent piece from ProPublica detailing the devastating impacts of homeless encampment sweeps, which traumatize already-vulnerable people and only make it harder for them to access the services they desperately need. This is not an acceptable way to address our ongoing homelessness and housing crisis. "Harold Odom, 64, has been housed for about seven years. But he still thinks about the family photos, including of his late mother and sister, that he said were taken from him in a sweep in Seattle. 'It’s a sense of loss that doesn’t go away,' he said. 'Knowing that my belongings are likely gone for good — trashed or lost forever — fills me with a sadness that’s hard to bear.'" https://lnkd.in/gqtRqHkH

Thank you to our October Legal Clinic and CORI Clinic volunteers from Brown Rudnick LLP, Nixon Peabody LLP, WilmerHale, and Robins Kaplan LLP! With your help, clinic clients like Ryan (name changed) are able to access much-needed housing, benefits, and more. Need assistance with a civil legal matter (such as eviction, housing conditions, SSI/SSDI, or credit & tax issues) or your Massachusetts-based criminal record (CORI)? Learn more about our free virtual and in-person clinics: https://lnkd.in/eK3S9dWV

Today we’re celebrating our 100th CORI Sealing & Expungement Clinic! We first launched the CORI Clinic in 2019 because we believe everyone deserves a second chance, but we know that is often easier said than done. In reality, people who hold criminal records often pay the price long after they have served their time, facing stigma, ostracization, and difficulty accessing employment and housing. So we harnessed our large network of volunteer attorneys and worked with Access to Justice Fellow Crispin Birnbaum to build a program that would connect people who have Massachusetts-based criminal records (known as CORI) with free legal assistance to seal or expunge their records and finally move forward. Five years later, as we mark our 100th Clinic, we'd like to express our gratitude everyone who has made this program possible. Below is just a fraction of the feedback we have received from past clients who can, thanks to the help they received, finally envision a better future for themselves and their families. “It relieved a lot of stress that I’ve been dealing with for several years, and I am so grateful you guys came on board. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. Words cannot explain the feeling and joy you guys brought back to my life, seriously!” – Samuel*, Former Client “The outcome could not be better […] the flaws on my record are not indicative of the person I am today. I am no longer stigmatized by my record or a reflection of it.” – Lisa*, Former Client “[My attorneys] were there for me and I could not have done this without them. They went above and beyond to help me for years.” – Rachel*, Former Client “I am now able to apply for jobs without prejudice. Thank you for giving me my life back.” – Sierra*, Former Client “[My lawyer] took the time to go through a lot of paperwork and tackle all of the parts of my case. He put in a lot of work and time and really gave his all to the case. I am in a much better situation now.” – Richard*, Former Client “They kept contact with me and did everything they said they were going to. It opened a lot of opportunities for me.” – Aaron*, Former Client “The attorney I had was very friendly and nice explained everything in language I could understand. Best experience I ever had dealing with the legal system.” – Serena*, Former Client *All names changed to protect client privacy.

We're so excited to be back at the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) Annual Conference this year! It's always inspiring to connect with so many amazing MA nonprofits, learn more about their important work and the communities they serve, and explore ideas for future collaboration. Pictured: Clearinghouse Outreach & Programs Manager Rachel Scully-Gonzalez (right) with Margaret Patkus, Development & Communications Coordinator at Community Cooks, a Somerville-based nonprofit that partners with community members, local businesses, educational groups, and other agencies to provide nourishing homecooked meals for neighbors in need.

We're teaming up with volunteers from Goodwin for another virtual Nonprofit Governance and Operations Check-In! Join us from 1-4 PM on December 12 for a combination workshop and consultation where volunteer attorneys will help you review key aspects of your operations, including: - State and Federal registration and reporting obligations - Corporate structure, organizational documents and policies - Board operations - Operational best practices - Finances and fiscal management Learn more and register or apply here: https://lnkd.in/euuhxdQS. Note: All nonprofits are welcome to attend the workshop portion from 1-2 PM, while consultations from 2-4 PM are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations.

Join the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services on October 30th for the 2024 Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards Ceremony & 25th Anniversary Celebration! The Committee will celebrate 25 years of pro bono accomplishment and recognize the dedicated lawyers, law students, legal services organizations, law firms, and legal departments advancing access to justice across the Commonwealth. Watch online at https://lnkd.in/epX_mst or RSVP to blanca.tosado@jud.state.ma.us by October 25th attend in person.

Thank you to Ann Westerheim, Founder and President of Ekaru, for presenting at today's Written Information Security Program (WISP) Consultation! This is an important but often intimidating topic, especially for smaller organizations with fewer resources. We appreciate you joining us and providing such a thorough overview of the ways nonprofits and other agencies can not only protect their data, but strengthen their overall security practices.

Need free assistance with a civil legal issue? Join us at the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program Barbara McInnis House this Friday, October 11 to discuss your legal concerns with volunteer attorneys. We'll be onsite from 8:30 AM-11 AM and walk-ins are welcome, though you may also check your eligibility and sign up in advance by contacting our Clinic Manager, Sean, at 617-544-3434 x. 110. Common case types include eviction, housing discrimination, housing conditions, SSI/SSDI denials and appeals, EAEDC, credit and tax issues, and wills/trusts/estates. We cannot take criminal, family, or immigration cases. 10/11 Legal Clinic details: https://bit.ly/oct11bhchp Or learn more about our free clinic programs, including our CORI Sealing & Expungement Clinic: https://lnkd.in/eK3S9dWV

Thank you to the attorneys from Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Mintz, and Goulston & Storrs who volunteered at our September clinics! We appreciate your commitment to helping attendees like Dan (name changed) handle difficult legal challenges. Need assistance with a civil legal matter (such as eviction, housing conditions, SSI/SSDI, or credit & tax issues) or your Massachusetts-based criminal record (CORI)? Learn more about our free virtual and in-person clinics: https://lnkd.in/eK3S9dWV

We can’t thank everyone enough for joining us yesterday at our 36th Annual Meeting, where we celebrated another year of pro bono service and recognized three truly deserving honorees: - Clark Ziegler, Executive Director of MHP (Massachusetts Housing Partnership) and recipient of the Stephen M. Nolan Leadership Award, who talked about affordable housing-related advocacy and legislative efforts that should inspire and energize all of us to continue pushing forward in the face of immense challenges and systemic barriers. - Dick Bauer, Access to Justice Fellow & Clinic Consultant and recipient of the Pro Bono Excellence Award, who spoke passionately about helping former clients keep their housing and reminded us that “when we don't fight, we can't win.” - Hugo Carvajal, Executive Director of Latino Support Network CDC and recipient of the McNeil Community Impact Award, who spoke about recent initiatives LSN has taken as a CDC to build and preserve affordable housing and promote healthy homes for communities and families throughout Lynn. This event would not have been possible without the generosity of so many supporters, sponsors, friends, and volunteers, and the tireless efforts of this year's Leadership Committee. The $272,500 raised through this year's Annual Meeting ensures Lawyers Clearinghouse can continue to expand our programming and connect more nonprofits and people in need with life-changing pro bono assistance in 2025 and beyond. We could not have done this without you. Thank you again, and cheers to 36 years! View the event booklet: https://lnkd.in/eDnMRFZJ Learn more about last night's event and this year's honorees: https://lnkd.in/dADcwzzY