The Future is Hybrid

As most of the world is returning to more in-person activities, so are some of our clinics. VLP continues with most of its operations remote. However, we have started connecting with our clients, colleagues, and partners in person. Some tasks are much easier to conduct in-person, significantly lowering the number of technical challenges our team can face daily.  Whether the clinics are in-person or remote, VLP remains flexible for our clients and volunteers. Our priority is to serve them in any way to make their lives easier. VLP has adopted a hybrid model to accommodate clients' and volunteers' needs.   Join us in person or online. Sign up below:

In-Person Clinics

Remote Clinics

Housing Lawyer for the Day Wage Theft Clinic Family Law and Guardianship

Housing Answer and Discovery Appeals Clinic Family Law and Guardianship

National Volunteer Week Spotlights

We are thrilled to recognize not one but five volunteers and one firm for this year's National Volunteer Week. Though these five volunteers come from diverse legal backgrounds, and possessing various levels of experience working in different VLP units, there is a commonality among them; It is their approach to volunteering and how they interact with our staff and clients.

What is an excellent volunteer like? Describing them does not get any easier than this: they always display professionalism, a willingness to roll up their sleeves, commit a significant amount of time, and possess a warm demeanor.

Considering the combination of these traits, we are honored to recognize this year’s National Volunteer Week spotlights. Congratulations, Betsey O'Boyle, Amit Gulati, Anthony Czar, Nicole Beggiani, Alexandra Roman, and the WilmerHale Pro Bono team on your recognition for the work that you do for VLP and our clients!

Housing Attorney Win

Housing Staff Attorney Rochelle Jones represented a disabled client who was facing an eviction for violating a previous Agreement for Judgment. The landlord's claims lacked evidence. This was determined after filing multiple motions to compel discovery. An indolent remark from the opposing counsel suggested focusing on resources to find her client alternative housing would be time better spent. Yielding to unsubstantiated claims was never a part of the VLP attorneys’ ethos. Rochelle’s course of action was clear—she dismissed the suggestion and planned her next move. Rochelle continually pushed for discovery; including any incident reports, witness lists, and police reports supporting the opposing party’s claims against her client regarding two incidents that could have jeopardized her client’s case. However, the responses were completely inadequate and inadmissible due to either multiple levels of hearsay or a violation of the Massachusetts wiretapping statute. It was confirmed that the police were never called for any incident of the claims. One week prior to the hearing, the opposing counsel sent a motion to withdraw their motion for entry of judgment and issuance of execution against her client. A great outcome for Rochelle’s client! However, the time leading up to the motion hearing was troubling and caused a great deal of distress for her client. Thank you, Rochelle, for being the light at the end of the tunnel for this client.

New VLPies!

Join us in welcoming Laura Castro, Jennifer Ferrer, Adrian Coss, Elaine Dias and Nicole Cruz Merced to the VLP family.   Laura graduated from Pine Manor College with a BS in Social & Political Sciences and a Minor in Criminal Justice. Laura previously worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Somerville District Court, and as an Interpreter and Legal Assistant at an Immigration firm.   Jennifer was born and raised in South Boston and attended Boston Architectural Mass Art and Lesley University. She is proud to be a Bostonian and feels blessed for the opportunity to join VLP and assist fellow Massachusetts residents. Both Laura and Jennifer join VLP as Paralegals for the Housing unit.   Adrián is a graduate of Arizona State University of New Hampshire Law School where he received a graduate award for his dedication to social justice and public service. Adrian joins VLP as Paralegal for the Consumer and Bankruptcy unit.  Elaine graduated from Bunker Hill Community College in 2021. She has a passion for helping underserved individuals and is excited to join VLP as a Bilingual Paralegal in the Consumer and Bankruptcy unit. Elaine is also a real estate specialist and practices in her free time.   Nicole holds a master's in Community Social Psychology and a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. They also have a passion to work in the nonprofit sector and spend much of their free time volunteering within their community. They join VLP as Bilingual Intake Specialist.

We are so thrilled to have them on board! If you, or someone you know, are interested in joining the VLP team you can check out our open positions here.

Growth to our Pro Bono Housing Network

We are pleased to announce the Landlord Advocacy Project latest partnerships with the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA) and Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys (MBWA). MBLA and MWBA will work to provide pro bono attorneys for the Projects’ “Lawyer for the Day” services to eligible landlords. Pro bono attorneys will provide eligible landlords free eviction or eviction-related consultation on a limited-time basis. Our partnerships with MBLA and MBWA will help VLP continue to provide access to justice by delivering high-quality pro bono legal services to this underserved low-income landlord population. Our goal is to help keep the rental market stable and affordable by keeping the legal system even-handed.

If you are interested in joining our Landlord Advocacy team, please sign up here. For more info about the Landlord program, click here.

Year To Date Community Impact

Volunteer with us! Join our expansive network of dedicated professionals by clicking here to signup, or email VLP’s Pro Bono Manager Emelia Andres at eandres@vlpnet.org.

Donate

When you make a gift to VLP, you place a skilled and dedicated attorney at the side of a low-income parent, veteran, elder, or other vulnerable community members, as they walk into court. The presence of an attorney can change the tide for a client facing daunting legal issues.   Please support VLP and pair a client with an attorney today!

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