Tag Archive for: law schools

MLAC Responds to Governor Healey’s FY27 Budget

/in

BOSTON, January 29, 2026 – Yesterday, Governor Maura Healey issued her FY27 state budget recommendations, which included $52 million for civil legal aid through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) line item 0321-1600. This represents a $1 million increase for civil legal aid services over the current funding level of $51 million. 

“We are grateful to Governor Healey for increasing the state’s investment in the MLAC line item in her FY27 budget recommendation,” said Lynne Parker, Executive Director of MLAC. “This funding will help civil legal aid organizations across Massachusetts, which serve as a lifeline for people with low incomes who are facing challenges related to housing, domestic safety, health care access, education equity, consumer protection, and more. MLAC is the single largest funder of these organizations, which provide critical representation and resources to Massachusetts residents in crisis.”   

To qualify for legal assistance, people and families must have incomes at or below 125% of the poverty level—$41,250 for a family of four or $19,950 for an individual in 2026.   

In addition to stabilizing individuals and families, the state’s annual investment in civil legal aid brings significant cost savings to the Commonwealth as a whole. In FY25, according to MLAC data, legal aid organizations secured an estimated $113.5 million in economic benefits for the Commonwealth and its residents, an increase of $4.5 million over FY24 ($109 million).  

MLAC-funded legal aid organizations handled more than 46,890 cases in FY25, impacting more than  98,900 people across the Commonwealth, with 94% of cities and towns having at least one person with a case handled by a legal aid organization.  

For more information on civil legal aid, MLAC, and the organizations it funds, visit www.mlac.org. 

*This press release was originally published at https://mlac.org/mlac-responds-to-governor-healeys-fy27-budget/*

UMass Law students advocate for civil legal aid at MA State House

/in

UMass Dartmouth sent a group of law students to the EJC’s Walk to the Hill event on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Below is the text of an article detailing the event from the UMass Law School website.

Read the original story here.

_

Sixty UMass Law students visited the Massachusetts State House last week to advocate for increased funding for civil legal aid during the annual “Walk the Hill” event, continuing the school’s tradition of championing access to justice.

During the visit, students met with legislators and staff to discuss the importance of legal aid funding in ensuring fair representation for low-income residents, sharing stories of clients who benefitted from these services and highlighting the societal impact of accessible legal support.

“As Massachusetts’s only public law school, I think it’s imperative of our students to advocate for those in underprivileged communities in circumstances where they may not be able to afford counsel to represent themselves,” said SBA President and 3L Megan Hueras.

“Personally, I enjoy family law and probate matters. Because these are civil cases, individuals are not appointed counsel as they would be in criminal cases. My hope is that through the initiatives we’ve undertaken, more people will have access to appropriate legal representation in these circumstances.”

Walk the Hill is an annual event put on by the Equal Justice Coalition that brings together hundreds of private attorneys, law students, and legal aid advocates to urge the Commonwealth to increase funding to provide critical services for residents with low incomes who are facing serious civil legal problems. This is the ninth consecutive year UMass Law students walked the hill to champion the cause.

“The hope is that by providing more funding, we can provide more opportunities for underprivileged people,” said 1L Joseph Manobianco. “Whether it’s through housing, legal departments, or just the ability to help people on a fundamental level who truly need it, legal aid can systematically change people’s lives for the better.”

The annual trip underscores UMass Law’s commitment to preparing students for impactful careers in public service and training future attorneys to pursue justice. Through participation in this annual initiative, UMass Law students gain practical advocacy experience while contributing to a vital cause.

“Seeing the Massachusetts State House packed with UMass Law students for the Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid is one of the great rewards of being the dean of this law school,” said UMass Law Dean Sam Panarella. “I could not be prouder of our students for walking the talk for equal and accessible justice. THIS is what being a public law school is all about.“

© Copyright - Equal Justice Coalition