Hampden County Probate & Family Court

Limited Assistance Representation

Pro Bono Courtroom Lawyer for the Day Project

In February 2008, Senior Partners for Justice, in partnership with the Massachusetts Justice Project, Western Massachusetts Legal Services and the Court, started a Pro Bono Limited Assistance Representation Courtroom Lawyer for the Day project at the Hampden County Probate and Family Court.

How It Works

On certain days (once or twice a month) volunteer attorneys will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. across from the elevators on the fourth floor of the Courthouse.  Volunteer attorneys provide a range of services to pro se litigants - everything from simple advice to representation in a court hearing - in matters that are scheduled in court on that day.

As this is a Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) project, the attorney will appear on a limited basis ONLY FOR THAT DAY. The attorney files a Notice of Limited Appearance along with a Notice of Withdrawal of Limited Appearance at the beginning of the matter they are handling. This service is provided to low-income, self-represented litigants only and is free of charge.

Staff from the Massachusetts Justice Project screen clients for eligibility. We usually have four volunteer attorneys available for clients, and staff from the Registers provide additional support.  We have forms, blank client files, and reference materials available for volunteer attorneys.  

The pace is fast, the work is really interesting, and it is fun!  This opportunity is well suited to attorneys who have some experience in probate and family law. 

In order to take Limited Representation cases, it is necessary to have completed a do-it-yourself training consisting of written materials and an audio CD.  The training materials are available free of charge from the Hampden Probate & Family Court Family Law Facilitator, Lori A. Landers-Carvalho, (413) 735-6043 or lori.landers@jud.state.ma.us.

We are looking for volunteer attorneys to serves as Courtroom Lawyers for the Day on the following days:

• Tuesday September 16, 2008
• Tuesday October 7, 2008

To sign up, or for more information, please contact Pat Walsh-Ollari at 413-322-7430 x513 or pwalsh@majp.org.