Foreclosure Legal Assistance

In July 2007, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, in partnership with a number of organizations, including the BBA, National Consumer Law Center, the MBA, Legal Advocacy and Resource Center, Greater Boston Legal Services and several county and minority bar associations, announced the establishment of a Pro Bono Foreclosure Assistance Hotline. 

Get involved

The attorney general continues to seek additional qualified attorneys who are willing to represent indigent homeowners, particularly in the areas outside Greater Boston. 

Interested lawyers may call Yolanda Kruczkowski, of the Attorney General’s Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau, at (617) 727-2200, ext.2973 or via e-mail.

About the hotline

Low-income Massachusetts residents who are facing foreclosure on their homes may call (800) 342-5297 or (617) 603-1700 and leave a message in the “foreclosure assistance” voice mail box.  Each day, Legal Advocacy and Resource Center (LARC) will return the calls, determine how to best assist the caller and provide general advice.  If the homeowner meets the eligibility criteria, LARC will refer the homeowner to Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association, who will assign each case to a pro bono lawyer. This critical need is driven by the record number of foreclosures in the Commonwealth. Over 3,000 foreclosures have been initiated within the past 60 days according to www.foreclosuresmass.com.

Under the leadership of Carol Kenner, the former Chief Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit Court of Appeals, who is currently serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Attorney General’s Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau, the AGO held a two-day training in June for local attorneys, housing advocates, paralegals and law students who have volunteered to assist those facing foreclosure and in need of legal services or representation.  Approximately 150 attorneys from throughout the commonwealth attended the training. More than 100 public-spirited Massachusetts attorneys have generously agreed to handle at least one case on a pro bono basis.

To find out about other Pro Bono opportunities, click here.