WHAT:
At a ceremony at the John Adams Courthouse on Thursday, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, in partnership with the state Judiciary and the Lawyers Clearinghouse, will announce the selection of twenty Access to Justice Fellows who will partner with non-profit, legal services organizations and the courts on pro bono projects throughout the Commonwealth from 2015 to 2016.
This first of its kind program in the state, which has grown from seven fellows since its start in 2012 to twenty this year, enables experienced attorneys who have retired or are transitioning into retirement an opportunity to work for a year or longer providing critically needed legal assistance to underserved populations. This year, four retired judges from the Massachusetts Trial Court will be participating in the program; retired Supreme Judicial Court Justice John Greaney will be an honorary fellow.
The program is structured by partnering fellows with a legal services provider, non-profit organization, or court department of their choice. Each fellow is expected to devote between 10 to 20 hours per week to individual pro bono projects from September 2015 to June 2016. Fellows will meet once a month to share their experiences and ideas to help them better assist the needs of the communities they will be serving.
WHEN:
Thursday, September 24, 2014
5:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Seven Justice Courtroom
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108