What is Mass A2J?
We are all entitled to justice.
But poverty, physical disability and language barriers are just some of the obstacles that prevent people from gaining full access to all the remedies and relief – in a word, Justice – that our Courts and Government Agencies can provide. The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission is working to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to the Justice they deserve.
Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission Team
The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission seeks to achieve equal justice for all persons in the Commonwealth by providing leadership and vision to, and coordination with, the many organizations and interested persons involved in providing and improving access to justice for those unable to afford counsel. Meet our current leadership team and Commissioners:
Commission Leadership
Honorable Serge Georges, Jr., Co-Chair
Associate Justice, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Marijane Benner Browne, Esq., Co-Chair
Director of Lateral Partner Recruiting, Ropes & Gray LLP
Access to Justice Commissioners
Click here to see a full list of the Access to Justice current Commissioners.
A2J In The Real World
Access to Lawyers for Crime Victims
Massachusetts has assembled a state-wide Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) team providing free assistance on civil legal issues arising out of violence.
Innovative Legal Aid Funding
The voluntary “add-on opt-out” fee to a lawyer’s yearly attorney registration has already generated $7.5 million for civil legal aid for low income people.
Access to Justice Fellows
Attorney Martha Koster, while working as an Access to Justice Fellow, partnered with the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project, where she started to represent people seeking asylum.
Civil Appellate Pro Bono Program
The weekly program assists low income, self-represented litigants who are looking for both professional advice and an attorney to take on their appeal pro bono.