LEGAL AID
 

Consumer Protection Division
Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
13 Conway Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
Tel:  (413) 774-5102   Fax:  (413) 773-3278

The Consumer Protection Division of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office is one of the Local Consumer Programs throughout the Commonwealth working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. We attempt to mediate complaints through an informal process involving letters and telephone calls from the consumer and business, in an effort to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, we will discuss the option of redress through Small Claims Court, Face-to-Face Mediation or hiring a Private Attorney.

Disability Law Center
22 Green Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Tel:  (413) 584-6337   Fax:  (413) 586-5711

The Disability Law Center provides information and referral on issues related to the legal rights of the disabled. Advocacy and legal representation are on a limited basis in the area of special education, disability discrimination and Department of Mental Retardation services.

Franklin County Bar Association
20 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
Tel:  (413) 773-9839
Website:  www.franklincountybar.org

• The Franklin County Bar Association Advocates has received funding from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation for another year of free legal services to low income victims of domestic violence, elders and children with civil legal needs. We also provide educational programs for professionals who are serving low income elders, children and victims of domestic violence.

• The Franklin County Bar Advocates for Women assists income eligible men or women, who are victims of abuse, and have need for an attorney in a civil matter. Attorneys may be assigned to help with restraining orders, support issues, visitation schedules and so on. Advice only sessions are scheduled for women through the local battered women’s agency (NELCWIT). Priority is given to those in crisis.

• Attorneys can now give legal advice to clients who are being investigated by the Department of Social Services. The advice sessions are intended to educate parents about their rights during an investigation by DSS. We can also provide training for agency staff on the topic. To make a referral contact Christine Baronas, Executive Director at (413) 773-9839 or email fcbar@franklincountybar.org

• The Franklin County Bar Advocates for Children Program provides an attorney for children 18 years old and younger, who are in need of representation on civil matters. Cases include abuse, custody battles, visitation, school problems, etc.

• The Franklin County Bar Advocates for Elders Program provides attorneys to income people over age 60 who are not eligible for other legal services. Legal issues can include consumer problems, financial difficulties, wills, landlord issues, etc.

If you would like to make a referral or discuss a presentation on legal issues for your staff,
please call Christine Baronas at (413) 773-9839.
 

Health Law Advocates
30 Winter Street, Suite 1004, Boston, MA 02108
Tel: (617) 338-5241  Fax: (617) 338-5242
Website: www.hla-inc.org

We are the only non-profit law firm in Massachusetts dedicated exclusively to health care access. With our parent organization, Health Care For All, HLA combines legal expertise with grassroots organizing and policy reform to advance the statewide movement for universal health care access. HLA provides free legal assistance to hundreds of families each year.

Our clients are low and middle income residents from all parts of the state. Many are children, elderly, or coping with disabilities. All face barriers to health care treatment that result in suffering and loss. Last year, our small staff of full-time attorneys and private practice lawyers in Pro Bono Legal Network panel combined to assist more than 850 families and individuals in obtaining access to needed health care. Day in and day out, HLA staff makes a difference in the lives of ordinary people who simply are unable to cut through legal, administrative or financial barriers to obtaining needed health care treatment.
 

Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts
405 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Tel:  (508) 752-3722 

423 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331
(North Quabbin Patch Office)
Tel:  (978) 249-3712 or (800) 649-3718
Please call for Athol area hours

The Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts provides free civil legal assistance to low income and elderly residents of Worcester County. Areas of practice include:

• Housing & Housing Discrimination

• Mental Health

• Government benefits programs (SSI, TAFDC, Food Stamps & Medicaid)

• Family Law

• Elder Law (60 yrs+ referrals & services)

• Representation in consumer matters

Mass. Fair Housing Center
(Formerly The Housing Discrimination Project, Inc.)
57 Suffolk Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
Toll Free:  (800) 675-7309
Tel/TTY:  (413) 539-9796   Fax:  (413) 533-9978
Email:  info@massfairhousing.org

Working to eliminate Illegal Housing Discrimination in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Berkshire and Worcester Counties. Intake hours are Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (lunch taken daily from 12 – 1 p.m.)

Western Massachusetts Legal Services
20 Hampton Avenue, Suite 100, Northampton, MA 01060
Tel:  (800) 639-1309   Fax:  (413) 585-0418

Western Massachusetts Legal Services provides free legal advice and representation for seniors 60 and over on diverse issues including:

• Medicaid

• Social Security/SSI

• Emergency assistance

• Healthcare

• Housing

• Guardianship

• Abuse issues

Return to Resource Directory Home