De Novo Staff & Volunteers Talk to The Hill for Civil Legal Aid Funding

De Novo staff and volunteers joined more than 1,000 lawyers and advocates across the state for a virtual “Talk to the Hill” event on January 26, urging Massachusetts lawmakers to provide increased funding for civil legal aid. The event kicked off the Equal Justice Coalition’s campaign to support $49 million in the FY24 state budget for Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, which funds civil legal aid organizations across the state. 

In her opening remarks, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a longtime supporter of civil legal aid, said she looks forward to “continuing this partnership to make sure that every Massachusetts resident has access to the legal representation they deserve, and to make our state more just and equal for all.”

Governor Healey also noted that legal aid services have become even more critical throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “That’s why we need legal aid to be strong,” she said. “Not only to handle the uptick of cases we’ve seen, but also to help us address systemic problems, level the playing field, and secure access to justice for everyone who needs it.”

Chief Justice Kimberly Budd spoke about the importance of legal aid in maintaining confidence in the legal system. “[O]ur legal system is dedicated to the principle of providing equal justice for all. But too often we fall short of that ideal. Because many people still lack the resources that they need to present their cases in the courts… nearly half of the people who seek assistance do not get it.”

Unlike criminal defendants, low-income people facing serious civil legal problems—such as domestic violence, housing, health care, employment, government benefits, bankruptcy, and elder issues—do not have the right to an attorney, in most cases. Legal aid organizations like De Novo provide essential representation and advice to help vulnerable people protect basic human needs for health, safety, and housing.