Pro Bono Attorney Courtney Brunson Helps Family Facing Eviction

"Families like this one are exactly who the civil legal system should be protecting, and I wanted to be part of making sure that happened."

-Courtney Brunson, Esq.

In 2024, a couple came to the Housing Lawyer for the Day Clinic facing a second eviction from their landlord after they successfully defended themselves against a prior eviction for cause in 2022 and the landlord’s appeal in 2024. The new eviction included several fault and nonpayment allegations and further asserted that the landlord/tenant relationship had broken down due to the prior litigation. Pro Bono Attorney Courtney Brunson took on this case and began her work on it, with the support of Dick Bauer, John Cloherty, and the VLP team. 

  Originally taking the case as a limited representation case, Attorney Brunson realized that full representation, as well as collaboration with multiple pro bono attorneys, was needed to ensure this family remained housed. “This case stood out to me because of who was at stake: a disabled mother, her elderly husband, and their two children facing what appeared to be a retaliatory eviction,” Courtney explained. “Families like this one are exactly who the civil legal system should be protecting, and I wanted to be part of making sure that happened.” The team successfully defended the client in multiple motions - including a motion for summary judgment, in which the judge ultimately dismissed the case and found the notice to quit defective. Intent on pursuing action, the landlord filed an appeal on the dismissal of the case despite the parties reaching a settlement agreement in a third, subsequent eviction filing that required the clients to vacate the property by the end of 2026 and determined that the eviction was no fault. With the case on appeal, it presented Attorney Brunson with an opportunity she had not yet come across in legal aid: a chance to argue in front of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.  

With the support and guidance from VLP staff and other volunteer attorneys, Attorney Brunson made several strategic arguments: the landlord’s appeal was moot based on the agreement to vacate, the appeal was premature because the case had been dismissed rather than ruled upon by the lower court, and that the notice to quit was defective, rendering relief procedurally improper. In May 2026, the Appeals Court dismissed the appeal as moot, and the clients were able to remain in their housing until the end of 2026. VLP would like to congratulate Attorney Brunson on this important win and thank her for her commitment to providing these clients with access to justice! 

Staff Attorney Kevin Corkran's Diligence Saves Client from Debt

In October 2025, a client came to VLP’s Consumer Lawyer for the Day Clinic, seeking assistance after she was sued for an unpaid credit card debt.  The client had lost her job and fell behind on her bills. Before coming to court, an attorney for the company had called her and demanded payment to stop the court case. She felt pressured and did not know her rights, so she paid a small amount. She was told to pay installments until the full amount was paid off even though she was collection proof.  Pro Bono Attorney Chris O’Brien stepped in to represent this client and ensure that the client had someone fighting by her side.  Attorney O’Brien saw that the lawyer appearing for the plaintiff company did not have the evidence needed to support its claim against our client. When the parties appeared for the hearing, the lawyer appearing for the company tried to continue the case claiming the parties had reached a settlement agreement. Attorney O’Brien objected and asked for a hearing. The magistrate clerk denied the continuance; the hearing was held, and Attorney O’Brien prevailed. The magistrate clerk entered a judgment in favor of our client— a judgment that meant our client no longer had to pay this debt.  



But the fight was not over. In February 2026, the company filed a motion to vacate the judgment in favor of our client, claiming that our client had lied about not having reached a settlement. Consumer and Bankruptcy Staff Attorney Kevin Corkran quickly stepped in, recognizing that the client’s attempt to make modest payments in the face of aggressive collection practices did not count as a settlement. Kevin filed an opposition to the motion to vacate with the court. In addition to making clear that there was no settlement, Kevin highlighted the client’s confusion, as a pro se litigant, trying to negotiate with the company’s counsel and the pressure she felt to pay.  

 At the motion hearing, Kevin zealously advocated for this client, arguing that none of the reasons to vacate a judgment applied. The magistrate clerk agreed and denied the motion to vacate, leaving the judgment in favor of the client in place. Kevin shared, “I love advocating for our clients. I'm glad VLP was able to step in because the client would have been in a very bad spot if the motion had been granted.” Kevin notes that this outcome would not be possible without the support of Betsy Gwin, Elizabeth Mason, Theodore Tierney, Gabby Young, Darla Castaño, and intern Kelly Kim. Thanks to Kevin’s diligent and proactive work, this client can move on without these debts burdening her - thank you, Kevin, for your commitment to our clients and mission! 

Attorney General Campbell Awards VLP Grant to Support Eviction Sealing Clinic

We are excited to share that Attorney General Campbell has awarded VLP a grant to support eviction record sealing and access to stable housing. This grant is Attorney General Campbell’s latest effort to expand access to affordable housing opportunities across the Commonwealth. With this grant, VLP will implement the VLP Eviction Sealing Clinic, focused on providing eviction record sealing support for our clients through in-person clinics in Suffolk County and statewide through our call center. Thank you, Attorney General Campbell, for your support of creating access to justice in our community! 

VLP recently hosted an Eviction Sealing Training for pro bono attorneys about the eviction sealing law and how to get involved in our in-person Eviction Sealing Clinics at Eastern Housing Court beginning in June. Visit the links below to sign up for an upcoming clinic or request access to the training!

Welcome New VLPeeps!

Rachel Peterson, Esq.

Family Law and Guardianship

 Staff Attorney

Maggie Lee, Esq.

Supervising Attorney of
 Economic Fairness Unit

New VLP Board Member

Catherine S. Lombardo, Esq.

Mintz Associate

Please join us in welcoming our new Board Member, Catherine S. Lombardo, Esq., of Mintz. Catherine's extensive legal experience across a wide range of practices, as well as meaningful pro bono involvement, will bring an insightful perspective to our Board of Directors and help us make a greater impact through our work. We are so excited to have you aboard, Catherine, and look forward to your contribution to our mission of increasing access to justice!

VLP is excited to share that we are recruiting for our new Emerging Leaders Board!

If you are an early- to mid-career professional interested in supporting VLP’s mission to expand access to justice through outreach, fundraising, and pro bono engagement, this is a wonderful opportunity to expand your leadership experience while making a meaningful impact. 

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