Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

Meet Annette Duke! ✨️⁠ ⁠ This year, Annette was recognized with the Boston Bar Association's esteemed John G. Brooks Award for her fervent advocacy and commitment to justice. As a champion for housing rights, Annette has fought long and hard for the Access to Counsel program, ensuring low-income tenants facing eviction have legal representation, leveling the playing field in housing court.⁠ ⁠ “Legal representation is a lifeline for tenants facing eviction. We look forward to building a sustainable program that not only provides Access to Counsel but also addresses systemic inequities through budget allocations and strategic policy changes.”⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Click the link to read more about Annette in our 2024 Annual Report. ⁠ 📸 Ferns Francois, Francois Visuals https://lnkd.in/enAZKcCK

Join us On May 19, 2025 for a new training with MCLE: Sealing Eviction Records in Massachusetts Under the New Law 📚️ ⁠ Eviction records can serve as long-term barriers to tenants seeking future housing. But, as of May 5, 2025, a new law went into effect that allows tenants to file a petition to seal certain eviction records. The training will be for advocates, community groups, law students, paralegals, and attorneys. It will focus on how to determine eligibility, how to help tenants prepare to seal their eviction records, and how to use the court’s new online “Guided Interview” to complete a petition. The training will also include information about how tenant screening impacts tenants and how to challenge denials of housing.⁠ ⁠ In-person attendees receive a print copy of the updated 2025 Legal Tactics: Tenants' Rights in Massachusetts; online attendees receive the ebook.⁠ ⁠ $55 for legal services, nonlawyer advocates, and all others. Groups of 4 or more attendees can receive a 20% discount. ⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Click the link for more information or to register!

We’re #hiring a new Child Welfare Staff Attorney in Boston, Massachusetts! This role offers a unique opportunity to lead statewide advocacy efforts aimed at transforming the child welfare system in Massachusetts.⁠ ⁠ In this position, you will have the chance to:⁠ 🔹 Spearhead strategic campaigns to prevent unnecessary family separations⁠ 🔹 Work towards creating a robust community-based support system⁠ 🔹 Provide assistance and training to advocates across the state⁠ 🔹 Lead policy advocacy, litigation, and coalition-building efforts⁠ 🔹Support the MA Family Preservation Project (FPP) through trainings and technical assistance⁠ ⁠ MLRI operates on a hybrid schedule, offering flexibility in your work environment. Join us in our mission to secure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income communities. ⁠ ⁠ Apply today or share this post with your network!

ICYMI: In a recent clip on 7News Boston, MLRI Senior Immigration Attorney, Heather Perez Arroyo, discusses the concerning trend of international students facing visa revocations and terminated student status over minor incidents. Click the link in our bio to watch the full clip and learn more about the implications of these actions and how they’re creating a dangerous environment for students. https://lnkd.in/gDgEwJPR

It was so great to host a New Legislator Reception with Senator Jamie Eldridge at the MLRI office last week! ⁠ ⁠ We are extremely grateful for Senator Eldridge, and our many other priority legislative sponsors, for their commitment to MLRI and the communities we all serve. It was a great opportunity to share information about our work and discuss ways to advance economic, racial, and social justice in Massachusetts. Thank you to all of the legislators who attended, and thank you to our amazing staff for your continuous advocacy!

Join us for the Spring Sessions of our annual Basic Public Benefits Advocacy Trainings! 🌷⁠ ⁠ Partnered with MCLE, we’re committed to making this essential knowledge accessible for public and private sector individuals and lawyers, helping Massachusetts residents better understand public benefits and how to access the support they need. ⁠ ⁠ 🔹 April 17, 2025: Elder Benefits Programs⁠ 🔹 April 30, 2025: State & Federal Veterans' Benefits⁠ 🔹 May 6, 2025: Income Maximization⁠ 🔹 May 7, 2025: Tenants' Rights: May Session⁠ 🔹 June 4, 2025: Best Practices for Representing Clients with Limited English Proficiency⁠ ⁠ Ready to empower your advocacy skills? Visit the link to register and learn more! 🔗⁠

Introducing our community speakers for Legislative Action Day 2025! Join us on Monday to hear remarks and recommendations from these amazing speakers on the importance of passing key legislation and budget language on housing, homelessness, and benefits programs. We are grateful for these folks sharing their lived experience and expertise, and a HUGE thank you to all of the tagged organizations for their partnership! Haven't registered yet? Register now: https://lnkd.in/eS6_dNFa See you Monday! #EndHomelessness #LAD2025

Introducing Mass Law Reform’s 2024 Annual Report “Advocacy in Action” ✨️ Whether it is through impact litigation, legislative advocacy, or coalition building, we have the tools to improve and uphold the law. 🔗 Click the link to learn more about how we are fighting poverty in Massachusetts and how to support this critical work! Designed by PB Dubois https://lnkd.in/enAZKcCK

On 3/29, please join us at Boston University School of Law for an event that will bring together legislators and Boston-area legal and community organizations to share the legislative advocacy skills and strategies to promote greater healing, dignity, and freedom in MA. This event is geared towards those interested in legislative advocacy across several issue areas, including decarceration, jail/prison conditions, housing justice, and immigration justice. We welcome anyone who is brand new to advocacy and who would like to learn what it entails, as well as more experienced advocates looking to build community. 10:45-11:30: Legislator Panel Rep. Christopher Worrell Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven 11:30-12:30: Advocates and Organizers Panel Nithya Badrinath, Jane Doe Inc. Virginia Benzan and Andrea Park, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Carolyn Chou, Homes for All Massachusetts Cynthia Kussy-Goldberg, Campaign To End Life Without Parole Jesse White, Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts Mallory Hanora and Angie Jefferson, Families For Justice As Healing Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eapiDrcs

Did you know? MA cash assistance grants will go up 10% in April 2025. For a family of 3, a 10% increase means approximately $78 more per month. The #LiftOurkidsMA Coalition celebrates this as an encouraging step toward lifting MA families out of deep poverty!