The Equal Justice Coalition

10/09/2026

We are excited to "Walk to the Hill" again!

For Fiscal Year 2028, the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) is asking the State Legislature to increase funding for civil legal aid organizations across the Commonwealth. To show our full support, on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, the EJC will bring attorneys and law students together at the State House to advocate for MLAC's budget request.

Don't miss our annual lobby day - Register today at equaljusticecoalition.org/walk

10/09/2026

MLAC was established by the Commonwealth in 1983 to ensure that people with low incomes experiencing critical, non-criminal legal problems would have access to legal information, advice, and representation.

The EJC works every year to protect and increase MLAC funding in the state budget!

10/08/2026

MLAC-funded civil legal aid organizations, like Greater Boston Legal Services, work creatively every day to better serve their clients and communities. This includes connecting pro bono attorneys with people facing serious civil legal problems.

Pro bono support is crucial to expanding the capacity of civil legal service providers. More funding can help organizations reach more clients and continue to leverage pro bono partnerships.

10/05/2026

This National Pro Bono Month, we are celebrating: (1) attorneys in private practice who volunteer on cases for low-income clients and (2) the civil legal aid organizations that provide the necessary infrastructure for this pro bono work.

In FY26, more than 2,450 private attorneys collectively accepted 2,430 cases through legal aid organizations on behalf of Massachusetts residents with low incomes. In total, these volunteers provided an impressive 42,448 hours of pro bono work. They represented people facing discrimination due to disabilities, victims of illegal debt collection, survivors of domestic violence, families being evicted, and so many others.

Civil legal aid organizations need more dedicated resources so they can help more people with low incomes and continue to facilitate pro bono programs.

08/21/2026

MLAC-funded regional civil legal aid organizations help people with a wide variety of issues - including those related to housing, health care, public benefits, family stability, immigration, education, and more.

No matter where you live in Massachusetts, there is a regional organization dedicated to serving your community!

08/13/2026

📢 The summer edition of the Equal Justice Newsletter is here! As we wrap up our FY27 budget campaign for civil legal aid funding, we want to recognize the many people who contributed to it—and look ahead to the FY28 campaign.

Read our newsletter at: https://loom.ly/OIqIM0I And don’t forget to subscribe to our email list to receive future issues!

05/13/2026

🚨 ACTION NEEDED: Support Increased Civil Legal Aid Funding in Massachusetts!

The MA Senate Committee on Ways & Means FY budget recommendation includes $51M for civil legal aid (MLAC line item 0321-1600). State Senator Lydia Edwards has filed Amendment #889 to increase MLAC funding by $1 million. We need your help to build a strong base of co-sponsors and get the amendment passed!

📣Here’s how you can help:
✅ Contact your state senator
✅ Urge them to co-sponsor Amendment #889

Our e-alert makes it easy by connecting you directly with your senator and providing a sample message you can personalize: https://loom.ly/eiTT_d0

It takes just a minute, and it makes a BIG difference. With over 1,100 amendments filed, your voice is critical to making legal aid a priority in the Senate Debate.

Contact your legislator today and advocate for MA civil legal aid funding! With the EJC's easy-to-use form, it only takes a few minutes—and it has a big impact.

05/12/2026

As our FY27 Budget Campaign continues, we're thinking back to "Walk to the Hill" - and want to say a special thank you to the law students and faculty from UMass Law, Suffolk University Law School, and Boston College Law School for joining us at Walk to the Hill this past January.

Your voices, leadership, and dedication to serving communities in need are helping shape a more just future for all! ⚖️💙 "

04/24/2026

🚨 ACTION NEEDED: Support Increased Civil Legal Aid Funding in Massachusetts!

The House Ways & Means Committee's proposed budget for FY27 includes $52M for civil legal aid (MLAC line item 0321-1600). Reps. Simon Cataldo and Michael Day have filed Amendment 121 to raise that number to $53M in the House Budget— but they need support to get it passed!

📣Here’s how you can help:
✅ Contact your state representative
✅ Urge them to co-sponsor Amendment 121

Our e-alert makes it easy by connecting you directly with your rep. and providing a sample message you can personalize: https://loom.ly/AI2Xq3k

It takes less than a minute, and it makes a BIG difference. With over 1,300 amendments filed, your voice is critical to making legal aid a priority in the House Budget Debate.

04/08/2026

We are grateful to State Representative Michael Day and State Representative Simon Cataldo for hosting MLAC’s House Budget Briefing last week. Opportunities like this are critical for uplifting the incredible work of civil legal aid organizations and the lasting impact of the Commonwealth’s continued investment in that work. We’re also especially thankful to Faye Rachlin of Community Legal Aid for delivering a powerful presentation that brought real client experiences to the forefront and highlighted what’s at stake.

Our campaign continues as we advocate for $53 million for civil legal aid (line item 0321-1600) and $4 million for the Access to Counsel Program (line item 0321-1800). We look forward to building on this momentum and sharing updates as the effort moves ahead.

Read more about the event here https://loom.ly/KFzpixA