Legal Aid Websites

A significant number of low income people in Massachusetts are unable to access a lawyer; approximately two-thirds of low income residents are turned away each year due to lack of civil aid resources. In addition, many low income people fall through the cracks because they are above-income for legal aid programs (e.g., above 125% of federal poverty level) but too poor to afford a lawyer.

As a result of this justice gap, vulnerable people are left without access to legal advice and, as a result, navigate legal situations without knowing their rights or options. Massachusetts has embraced the goal of providing “100 percent access to justice” through a continuum of meaningful and appropriate services. The use of technology is critical in closing the justice gap.

Launched in 2005, the Massachusetts Legal Aid Websites Project is a special statewide initiative funded by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation.  The Websites Project is developed and maintained by MLRI and provides online legal information and other resources to the general public and to the Massachusetts advocacy community.

The Project includes two statewide legal information websites:

• MassLegalHelp.org: a legal information site written in “plain English” and targeted to low income Massachusetts residents and non-lawyer advocates
• MassLegalServices.org: a website targeted to poverty law attorneys and advocates, this site includes issue specific legal resources, case libraries, listservs, and other advocacy resources

These two websites are viewed millions of times each year by people seeking trusted, reliable information about critical legal issues that affect low income people.

The Websites Project also oversees:

• MassLRF.org, the Massachusetts legal services triage and online referral portal
• MassLegalAnswersOnline.org, an innovative virtual legal helpline to provide targeted legal advice to low income people.
• MassProBono.org, an online resource for legal professionals who want to give their time to meet the legal needs of people with low incomes in Massachusetts. On Mass Pro Bono, volunteers can search among more than 50 organizations across the Commonwealth to find a pro bono opportunity that suits their skills, interests, and availability. Mass Pro Bono was originally launched a decade ago through a Legal Services Corporation Technology Initiative Grant and was administered by the Volunteer Lawyers Project.