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MBA and WGGB-TV team up to offer free “Lawyer on the Line” call-in service

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
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Eight MBA attorneys volunteered to answer calls from Western Massachusetts residents during the Feb. 11 "Your Money Monday: Lawyer on the Line" program, presented jointly by the MBA and WGGB-TV, the station that broadcasts ABC 40 and Fox 6. During the program, MBA member and Springfield attorney Keith A. Minoff (second photo from top) discussed the MBA's mission and public services with WGGB-TV anchor and reporter Shannon Hegy. Photos by Jennifer Rosinski.

Volunteer lawyers from the Massachusetts Bar Association fielded 111 calls from Western Massachusetts residents with legal concerns during the "Your Money Monday: Lawyer on the Line" call-in segment on Feb. 11 presented jointly by the MBA and WGGB-TV, the station that broadcasts ABC 40 and Fox 6.

Callers flooded the phone line as soon as the program started at 5 p.m., when WGGB-TV's newscast began. The segment was scheduled to end at 6:30 p.m., but most of the MBA's eight volunteer attorneys stayed until 7 p.m. to answer questions from  callers on hold.

While volunteer lawyers provided free legal help as a public service, WGGB-TV anchor and reporter Shannon Hegy interviewed MBA member and Springfield attorney Keith A. Minoff live in the newsroom. Minoff discussed the MBA's mission and public services, the MBA Lawyer Referral Service and Court Advocacy Day on Feb. 14.

ABC 40/Fox 6 is the Pioneer Valley's source for breaking news, weather, traffic and national information, 24/7, online, and on the air. ABC 40/Fox 6 is locally owned by Gormally Broadcasting LLC in Springfield.

The eight volunteer lawyers who handled the calls are:

  • Jeffrey Burstein, Burstein Law Office, Springfield;
  • Corey Carvalho, UMass Legal Services, Amherst;
  • Mark Cress, Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas LLP, Springfield;
  • Michele Feinstein, Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin PC, Springfield;
  • John Garber, Weinberg & Garber PC, Northampton;
  • Andrea Reid, Reid & Gaudet Law Group, LLP, Springfield;
  • Katherine Robertson, Hampden County District Attorney's Office, Springfield; and
  • Daniel Rothschild, Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas LLP, Springfield.