Calendar of Events

Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association

Launching Second Year of the Program Fall 2007

Last year the MDLA partnered with the Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (the "VLP") to start the "MDLA Volunteer Advocates Program," which is designed to assist with pro bono summary process eviction cases while giving MDLA members first hand trial experience.

We are very pleased with the success of the program thus far, and we are happy to now be launching our second year of the program this fall. This year, we hope to build our group Volunteer Advocates to assist in even more cases. The Volunteer Advocates Program is a great way for associates to gain valuable trial experience while also giving back to the community by representing parties in eviction actions that would otherwise have to navigate the legal system alone.

The VLP will identify summary process eviction cases pending in the housing court which are likely go to trial, then assign to the MDLA Associates Division volunteers to handle the cases pro bono. The MDLA Associates Division will then match a volunteer advocate to each case from VLP. Participants will handle all aspects of the case, from pleadings through trial.

In concert with the program, the MDLA Associates Division will continue to provide monthly training seminars conducted by experienced MDLA partners to provide training on all aspects of trying a case, from Openings to Closings. We are currently planning our first monthly training session on Opening Statements to take place in mid-fall 2007, for which we will be sending further detailed information shortly.

Of course, please do not hesitate to contact Associates Division Co-Chairs Matt Moschella (mcmoschella@sherin.com) or Nicole Johnson (njohnson@bktc.net) for more information on the program.