What We Do
We provide free legal information, advice and sometimes representation for low-income residents of Malden, Everett, Medford, Melrose and Wakefield with non-fee generating civil legal cases. This means cases that a lawyer can not get paid for. Most of our cases are:
Eviction – We help Tenants and Landlords.
Family Law – We help mainly with divorces
Debt Issues
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Appeals
Other civil law issues
If you case is not listed above, please phone our paralegal at (781-322-4125) to see if we can assist or not. Please note that sometimes we do not have a staff or volunteer attorney available and must place your case on a waiting list.
Who We Are
We have two staff attorneys and one paralegal. As well, we have a panel of volunteer attorneys. We also have volunteer law student interns and other volunteers with legal experience. Everything you tell us is confidential.
Who We Serve
We serve low-income residents of Malden, Medford, Melrose, Wakefield and Everett. If you are not sure if you are low-income, you can telephone us and apply. If you are ineligible we suggest you call the Mass. Bar lawyer referral service at (617-654-0400) or Boston Bar lawyer referral service (617-742-0625).
How to Apply
Please call the Pro Bono Legal Project at 781-322-4125 or drop by Tri-CAP at 110 Pleasant St. in Malden. Please ask to speak with the Pro Bono Paralegal. Tell the receptionist that you have a legal problem or question.
When to Apply
NOW. Do not risk missing an important legal deadline or time limit.
We also have outreach in:
Medford: at the Medford Senior Centre on Riverside Avenue on the first Monday of every month at 9:30
Everett: at the Everett Armory on the first Monday of every month at 1:30
Education and Training
We provide information seminars on tenancy law and other issues for the public, community groups and other advocates. Please contact us if you or your group are interested in participating in a training.
If you are a lawyer who would like to be on our volunteer panel or participate in our Lawyer for the Day service, we offer training and mentoring on a one on one basis.
Books and Informational Materials
We have informational booklets for Tenants and Landlords. The books are available in Spanish and French. We have pamphlets and brochures on various legal issues and resources available too.
Available online:
Representing Yourself in Court
Housing Lawyer for the Day at Malden District Court
Click Here to Learn more about accessing this program
Click here if you are a lawyer who like to volunteer or get more information.
Mediation
We work closely with Mediation for Results: Everyone who applies for our services and is eligible is also eligible for a referral to a mediator. We will contact the mediator for you.
Mediation for Results: Provides conflict resolution, housing stabilization, and legal education for landlords and tenants. Applicants accepted at any time from Cambridge and MetroNorth Service Area. Contact Peter Shapiro at (617) 494-0444 ext 317 or Don Meglio at (617) 494-0444 ext 319 or Ashok Panikkar at (781) 322-9955. 432 Columbia St., Cambridge
Volunteering at the Pro Bono Legal Project
The Pro Bono Legal Project is looking for lawyers to join our panel of pro bono attorneys. Click here for more information