Consumer Debt Clinic

Attorneys provide Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) to clients, meaning they are only involved in the case for that day. Not trained in LAR? Watch a training and read required materials.

LOCATION DAY/TIME

• BMC Central’s Zoom Account [Click Here]
  • 1st and 3rd Thursdays (BMC Central, Zoom) 2 pm
• BMC Dorchester (510 Washington St, Boston MA 02124)
  • 2nd and 4th Thursdays (BMC Dorchester, In-Person)
  • 11 am and 2 pm

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a licensed Massachusetts Attorney

HOW IT WORKS VIRTUAL

• VLP staff attend court on Zoom and provide our contact information to potential clients. ​
• The court calls the list of cases and if a litigant says they would like to speak with VLP, their case gets a continuance of 1-2 months. During that time, the litigant contacts VLP. We do an intake with them to ensure their case fits our priorities and that the litigant is financially eligible.
• If the litigant is eligible, they become a client and we find a volunteer to represent them. Every Wednesday, the Pro Bono Manager sends out emails to VLP’s consumer panel with a list of available cases.
• Once a volunteer picks up a case, they are able to see all the documents we collected from the client, details about their case and referral memorandum. The volunteer will need to fill out a Notice of Limited Appearance (NLA) and file it with the court. It is the volunteer’s responsibility to counsel the client, negotiate with the opposing party to reach a resolution of the case, and represent the client at their magistrate hearing if needed.
• Once the case has been resolved, volunteers will fill out a Notice of Withdrawal of Limited Appearance (NWLA) and file with the court immediately after
• Time commitment: 1-3 months and 5-8 hours spent on the case

HOW IT WORKS IN-PERSON

• VLP staff and volunteers attend court together. VLP sets up tables in the hallway, and potential clients come by and ask for assistance.
• VLP staff do an intake with the client to ensure their case fits our priorities and that the litigant is financially eligible.
• If the litigant is eligible, they become a client, and we find a volunteer to represent them.
• Over the next 2-4 hours, the volunteer will work with the client to resolve the case, review documents obtained from the creditor, negotiate with the opposing party, and do a magistrate hearing if needed. The volunteer will need to fill out a Notice of Limited Appearance (NLA) that will be filed with the court by VLP.
• Once the case is resolved, the volunteer fills out an “assistance provided form” to tell VLP what happened in their case, and fill out a Notice of Withdrawal of Limited Appearance (NWLA) that the volunteer must file with the court before leaving the clinic

REQUIRED TRAINING

• Consumer Debt Defense Training
• Limited Assistance Representation

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

• Limited assistance means you finish with your client on the same day. No drawn-out help with court proceedings or legal advice
• Attorneys of all experience volunteer. Learn from a more experienced attorney if you would like more guidance on guardianship law and paperwork, or provide mentorship to a younger attorney if you have years of knowledge to share.
• Want to meet other attorneys in your area of practice? Clinics are a great way to make connections with other legal professionals.
• Gain practical experience. This clinic is a great introduction to bankruptcy practice for volunteers.

The Volunteer Lawyers Project provides primary malpractice insurance for all pro bono work.