Tag Archive for: Walk to the Hill

Through Snow and Storms, Advocates Rally for Civil Legal Aid at Walk to the Hill 2026

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BOSTON, MA, January 28, 2026 – On Wednesday, January 28, approximately 600 attorneys, law students and justice advocates from across Massachusetts gathered at the State House for Walk to the Hill 2026: the 27th annual lobby day supporting increased funding for civil legal aid. Despite snow and difficult winter weather conditions that complicated travel throughout the Commonwealth, participants turned out in strong numbers, underscoring our legal community’s deep commitment to equal access to justice.

The halls of the State House buzzed with energy as people connected with colleagues and prepared to meet with their legislators.

Walk to the Hill is organized each year by the Equal Justice Coalition (EJC), a partnership of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC). The Coalition’s mission is to advocate for state funding for civil legal aid through MLAC’s budget line item—the largest source of funding for civil legal aid organizations in Massachusetts.

Civil legal aid organizations provide legal representation, advice, and resources to individuals and families facing critical legal challenges related to housing stability, family safety, access to healthcare, education, economic security, and more. Eligibility for MLAC-funded services is limited to households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level: in real, 2026 dollars, that is $41,250 annually for a family of four or $19,950 for an individual.

Civil legal aid can be the difference between remaining housed or facing homelessness, achieving financial stability or falling deeper into debt, and living in safety or remaining trapped in dangerous situations.

Walk to the Hill 2026 began with a speaking program that underscored both the urgency of the need and the real-world impact of civil legal aid. EJC Chair Louis Tompros opened the program by emphasizing the unique position legal professionals have to speak on this issue. Next, Boston Bar Association President Suma Nair and Massachusetts Bar Association President Michael H. Hayden each shared their perspectives on the day’s resonance and the urgency of the moment.

The highlight of the speaking portion of the Walk, however, was a powerful testimonial from Jen Fowler, a legal aid client whose son had been denied special education services and spent two school years without the opportunity to learn in a classroom with peers. Jen says connecting with the Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts felt like “winning the lottery.”

“My son is now in a special education school. He is thriving, and after two years of not being able to celebrate his birthday with peers, this October he celebrated his 13th birthday with his peers and his friends,” Jen said.

“My son has a bright future ahead of him again because of this help, a future he was and is entitled to.”

Jen’s remarks offered a compelling reminder of what is at stake when legal services are available—and when they are not.

Lynne M. Parker, Executive Director of MLAC, next spoke about the continued demand for civil legal aid services and the importance of sustained public investment to meet that need. Chair Tompros closed the program with a call to action, providing attendees with guidance and pointing them to materials for their legislative visits.

After the speaking program, the real work began: attendees met with their legislators to stress the importance of fully funding MLAC in the upcoming budget. They urged support for a $53 million funding request for FY27, following a $51 million appropriation in FY26. While everyone was in their meetings and navigating the labyrinthian State House halls, Governor Maura Healey’s budget proposal for FY27 was announced. It included $52 million for MLAC’s line item.

MLAC is grateful to the Governor, the legislature, and everyone who attended Walk to the Hill for supporting civil legal aid. This year’s event once again demonstrated the strength of our community’s collective voice—and its unwavering commitment to justice for all.

MLAC Responds to Governor Healey’s FY27 Budget

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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

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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.

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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.“

Lawyers and advocates for call for civil legal aid increases (WWLP)

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WWLP covered the Equal Justice Coalition’s 26th annual Walk to the Hill event, which took place on January 23, 2025 at the Massachusetts State House. The text of the article is copied below in full.

Read the original story and watch a video of the event at wwlp.com

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By Olivia Ray

BOSTON (WWLP) – Hundreds of lawyers, advocates, and the Massachusetts residents they represent walked to the State House today to advocate for funding for civil legal aid.

Civil legal aid organizations provide free legal services for the Bay State’s most fiscally vulnerable residents to help with employment issues, housing, domestic violence cases, and more.

Individuals and families living at or below 125% of the poverty level may be eligible, and over 105,000 people received these services in Massachusetts last year.

The group is lobbying for $54 million in the 2026 budget.

“Civil legal aid truly is the backbone of access to justice in our state… it’s really just to make sure that they have a place that’s safe to live, to protect victims of domestic violence,” said Lynne Parker, the Executive Director of Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation.

Lizbeth Valerio-Green is a domestic abuse survivor who used civil legal aid services in her divorce and while finding a home for herself and her children. She says the legal help changed her life.

“The process has been extremely difficult to do these legal battles on your own. It has taught me the immense value of having an attorney on your side,” said Valerio-Green.

Valerio-Green now works with civil legal aid providers as a Spanish interpreter to help expand the reach of the state’s free legal services for mothers like her.

After the speaking program, lawyers and advocates visited their state representatives and senators to call for funding in person.

Invite graphic with white speech bubble over purple background. Reads "Registration is open! January 26, 2023 11:00 AM. Talk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid. RSVP at ejctalktothehill.org"

Lawyers, advocates to rally online for increased legal aid funding

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January 26 lobby day seeks $49M for civil legal aid in FY24 

BOSTON, January 24 – Governor Maura Healey, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, bar association leaders, and legal aid clients will join a virtual gathering of hundreds of private attorneys and law students on Thursday, January 26, at 11 a.m. for Talk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid. They will urge state legislators to support $49 million in the FY24 state budget for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation to fund organizations that provide legal advice and representation at no cost to Massachusetts residents with low incomes. People and families with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level ($37,500 per year for a family of four) qualify for civil legal aid. 

The Walk to the Hill lobby day event, which engages members of the private bar and is now in its 24th year, has been held in a virtual format since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After hearing from the program’s speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to join Zoom breakout rooms with their legislators. These meetings offer a unique opportunity for private attorneys and law students to speak directly to policymakers and share why they believe civil legal aid is important.  

Louis Tompros, Partner at WilmerHale in Boston, serves as Chair of the Equal Justice Coalition, which coordinates the event each year. Tompros says the impact of increased state appropriated funding is evidenced by improvements in the “turnaway rate,” or the percentage of people who are financially eligible to be represented by a legal aid attorney but are turned away due to a lack of resources. 

While organizations are accepting more cases than they were a few years ago, “nearly half of the people who are eligible still do not receive representation simply because staff resources are insufficient,” says Tompros. 

Lynne Parker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, says the effects of COVID-19 are still being felt by people living in poverty. 

“Case numbers have risen since the pandemic in a number of areas. We’ve seen dramatic increases in housing cases and unemployment cases, for example,” Parker says, adding that, “Responding to these and other urgent needs requires a robust workforce of legal aid staff. More funding will help recruit and retain skilled advocates needed to make justice for all a reality in Massachusetts.” 

LIST OF SPEAKERS 

–Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts
–Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court 
–Grace V.B. Garcia, President of the Massachusetts Bar Association 
–Chinh H. Pham, President of the Boston Bar Association 
–Lynne Parker, Executive Director, Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation 
–Jacquelynne J. Bowman, Executive Director, Greater Boston Legal Services 
–Legal aid clients who received help over the past year  
–Host: Louis Tompros, Chair, Equal Justice Coalition 

Media are welcome to attend the speaking program and the virtual event is open to the public. Please register at ejctalktothehill.org.

About the EJC 
The Equal Justice Coalition is a collaboration of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, Boston Bar Association, and Massachusetts Bar Association working to increase state funding for civil legal aid. 

www.equaljusticecoalition.org 
@equaljusticema 
#ITalkforJustice 

Chief Justice Gants, Bar Leaders to Speak at 18th Walk to the Hill

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Hundreds of Attorneys to Gather at State House on Thursday, January 26 to Request $5 Million Increase in Funding for Civil Legal Aid

BOSTON (January 11, 2017)―Chief Justice Ralph Gants of the Supreme Judicial Court and bar association leaders will join hundreds of private attorneys from more than 40 law firms at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 11:30am for the 18th Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid. Attendees of this annual lobby day, one of the largest held at the State House each year, will request a $5 million increase in state funding for programs that provide civil legal aid to low-income Massachusetts residents.

“Civil legal aid is a key part of efforts by the state and the social service sector to fight poverty in Massachusetts. Free legal advice or representation in non-criminal legal matters like child support and custody disputes; home foreclosure or eviction; wrongful termination from a job, and accessing veterans’ services provides the stability that can assist low-income people to build a better future for themselves,” said Lonnie Powers, executive director of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC). “State investment in civil legal aid is critical to the success of these efforts.”

Speakers at Walk to the Hill will include Chief Justice Gants, Boston Bar Association President Carol A. Starkey, and Massachusetts Bar Association President Jeffrey N. Catalano. The program will also include remarks by a client who has benefited from civil legal aid assistance.

“Civil legal aid is one of the smartest investments the Commonwealth makes each year,” said MLAC Board Chair Marijane Benner Browne. “Each year, community-based civil legal aid programs around the state generate more money in new revenue and cost savings than the Commonwealth appropriates to support these programs. A 2014 report by the Boston Bar Association’s Statewide Task Force to Expand Civil Legal Aid in Massachusetts found that every dollar Massachusetts spent on civil legal aid in eviction and foreclosure cases saved $2.69 in state services, and every dollar spent on assisting qualified people to receive federal benefits returns $5 to the state and its residents. We simply can’t afford not to make this investment.”

Following the speaking program, attorneys will visit their legislators and urge them to increase funding for MLAC, the largest funder of civil legal aid in Massachusetts, by $5 million in the FY18 state budget, for a total appropriation of $23 million.

Walk to the Hill is sponsored by the Equal Justice Coalition, a collaboration of the Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation. The event is also co-sponsored by numerous county and specialty bar associations throughout Massachusetts.

SPEAKING PROGRAM

11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Great Hall of Flags
Massachusetts State House, Boston

The order of speakers is as follows:

  • Chief Justice Ralph Gants of the Supreme Judicial Court
  • Massachusetts Bar Association President Jeffrey N. Catalano
  • Boston Bar Association President Carol A. Starkey
  • Legal aid client

NOTE: Members of the media are welcome to attend all or part of the speaking program. Please follow the Equal Justice Coalition on Twitter (www.twitter.com/equaljusticema) as well as the hashtags #IWalkForJustice and #WalktotheHill for the latest on Walk to the Hill 2017.

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About the Equal Justice Coalition

The Equal Justice Coalition, a collaboration of the Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, works to increase state funding for civil legal aid.

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