Join us at our 2026 Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event as we celebrate the impact our volunteers have in increasing access to justice in our community!

Please note that registration for this event will close on Tuesday, September 1st.

From the Boardroom to the Clinic: Making a Difference for a VLP Client

In June, a client came to VLP’s Consumer Lawyer for the Day Clinic, seeking assistance after she was sued for an unpaid credit card. A debt buyer filed a case claiming the client owed over a thousand dollars on a credit card.   

VLP Board Member Jason Liss (WilmerHale) stepped in as a Pro Bono Attorney to represent this client. Working with VLP Staff Attorney Theodore Tierney, Attorney Liss reviewed the evidence that opposing counsel was offering and found that the debt buyer did not have the evidence to support its claim against the client. After advising the client of their options, the client decided to proceed to trial.  

That same day, Attorney Liss represented the client at the trial in small claims court. Attorney Liss argued that the plaintiff’s evidence was simply insufficient, pointing out that the debt buyer could not prove that they owned the debt let alone that they were entitled to the damages they claimed. The Magistrate Clerk agreed, entering a judgment for the defendant. The client was very appreciative of Attorney Liss’ efforts and felt relieved to put this case behind them. 

 With Attorney Liss at the client’s side, the client was able to hold the debt buyer to its burden and show the court that the debt buyer cannot and should not be allowed to collect the alleged debt.   

Attorney Liss shared that though the speed of this case was challenging, he felt well equipped to take it on successfully with the support of Attorney Theodore C. Tierney. He further shared, “It was striking to learn just how common it is to see a case like this, but volunteering at a VLP clinic is a great way to get involved and make an immediate, concrete difference in someone’s life.” 

If you would like to learn more about volunteering in our Consumer Unit, contact Pro Bono Manager Nicole Patano at npatano@vlpnet.org. 

Julia Dilley, a rising 3L at New England Law, joined VLP in June as a Family Law and Guardianship Summer Intern. With a strong interest in Family Law, Julia applied to VLP's internship program hoping to gain more experience in public interest work while making a meaningful impact. Julia shared that her internship experience has been busy, but "in a good way." Through new experiences, client interactions, and effective training, she feels confident in her work and her contribution to the FLG Unit. Julia shares that while hearing clients’ stories can sometimes be challenging, volunteering has broadened her perspective, deepened her understanding of others’ experiences, and helped her become a more patient and empathetic advocate.

Her most exciting experience was assisting Supervising Attorney Abigail McCourt in a motion hearing for a client looking to remove their name from a child's birth certificate after a DNA test revealed he was not the child's father. With the support of the FLGU team, Julia prepared a script, prepared files, and practiced her argument. She then successfully argued in court on behalf of the client, ensuring the client's name could be removed from the birth certificate without another costly DNA test. Julia shared that her internship experience has made her so excited to be a lawyer and do more courtroom work - a career goal she did not have before her time at VLP. "This internship experience has been both a fulfilling and invaluable growth opportunity. It has made me more confident in my work and has shown me the path I want to work towards in my career," Julia shared. "I will definitely continue pro bono work and look forward to becoming a lawyer and coming back to volunteer with VLP!" Julia would like to shout out Abigail McCourt, Rachel Peterson, and Olivia Cella for being so supportive, accessible, and for showcasing professionalism and compassion for clients, as well as her fellow interns! 

VLP Eviction Sealing Clinic Already Making an Impact

Since its inception in June, the VLP Eviction Sealing Clinic has already made an impact. In June, a client came to our Eviction Sealing Clinic, burdened by an old eviction record from 2019 for non-payment of rent. This record prevented them from obtaining stable housing; instead the client had to stay at different people’s houses and various shelters. At clinic, VLP staff were able to assist the client, providing them advice, as well as helping them to file the petition to seal their eviction record. Thanks to our staff’s diligent work and advocacy, the petition was ultimately approved, sealing the client’s old eviction record and allowing them to put this barrier behind them and start fresh. This case was a powerful example of how VLP’s Eviction Sealing Clinic, generously funded by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, can help low-income clients with eviction records find relief from housing instability. 



If you are interested in volunteering at VLP's Eviction Sealing Clinic to help clients like this one, sign up at the link below! 

Staff Updates

VLP is excited to share that Staff Attorney Sarah Mullis, who previously worked in VLP’s Landlord Advocacy Unit, joined our Housing and Appeals Unit in July 2026. 

This summer, VLP hosted 10 Law Firms for Pro Bono Days of Service at our Housing, Appeals, and Family Law Clinics, and with their help, assisted 108 clients. We are so grateful for the support of our Firm Volunteers and look forward to them joining us again soon!



VLP’s Pro Bono Days of Service offer your firm the opportunity to lead access to justice efforts in the community, turn your pro bono goals into measurable impact, and provide meaningful, hands-on experiences to attorneys of all experience levels. If your firm is interested in joining VLP for a Pro Bono Day of Service, please reach out to our Pro Bono Manager, Nicole Patano, at npatano@vlpnet.org!

Did you know? According to an LSC 2025 Report, Consumer Finance cases rose sharply from 2024 to 2025. The number of Consumer Finance cases closed by LSC grantees increased by 13.7% from 60,097 to 68,358. Cases like this are too common. Debt buyers often fail to present the evidence required, counting on the fact that the pro se litigants will default or agree to pay without putting them to their burden. With this consistent trend of growing Consumer cases, now more than ever we need the support of our volunteers to ensure our clients’ legal needs can be met. 



If you are interested in helping VLP address these needs, please sign up for an upcoming Clinic, or consider joining our Consume Unit Panel! 

YTD Community Impact

Join Our Team!

VLP is hiring for the following positions:


Housing and Appeals Supervising Attorney

Staff Attorney

Bilingual Intake Specialist

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Discounted MCLE Vouchers for our Volunteers

We offer discounted training vouchers to those who volunteer with us, reducing the cost of MCLE trainings to $35. Email us to request your voucher today. 

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