About the Nonprofit
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Over 14 years ago, private attorneys from the Hampden County Bar Association (HCBA) banded together to form the Hampden County Legal Clinic (HCLC), a formal pro bono arm, to address the stark justice gap in Hampden County through the volunteer efforts of legal professionals. Pro bono services provided through the HCLC enable attorneys to pursue a core value of the HCBA - equal access to the legal system for all. In order to serve individuals in the community who would not otherwise have access to legal help, there are no income guidelines, citizenship requirements, or other restrictions on participation in HCLC programs. Because of the unrestricted nature of our services, the HCLC depends almost entirely on private grants and contributions to continue closing the justice gap in Western Massachusetts.
The HCLC’s programs include:
- Landlord/Tenant Lawyer for the Day (in-office advice and counsel clinic)
- District Court Lawyer for the Day (in-office advice and counsel clinic)
- Probate & Family Lawyer for the Day (in-office advice and counsel clinic)
- Remote Referrals (one on one remote advice and counsel)
- Western Division Housing Court Lawyer for the Day (in-court limited assistance representation)
- Hampden Probate & Family Pre-Trial/ LAR (in-court limited assistance representation)
- Hampden County Conciliation Project (alternative dispute resolution)
- District Court Mediation Services (NEW program, alternative dispute resolution)
- M. Ellen Carter Financial Literacy Program (community based program)
- Legal Help Hotline (community based program)
