Photo Credit: Jeff Thiebauth
Top: MBA President Victoria M. Santoro speaks at the 2025 Walk to the Hill.
Bottom: From left: MBA Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer Martin W. Healy, MBA President Victoria M. Santoro, MBA Treasurer Shayla Mombeleur and MBA President-elect Michael H. Hayden.
Earlier today, hundreds of attorneys participated in the Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid at the Massachusetts State House. Speakers from the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Equal Justice Coalition (EJC) and the Boston Bar Association asked attendees to urge their legislators to support increased state funding for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC), which funds legal aid organizations.
Last year, MLAC’s FY 2025 budget allocation was $51 million. But even with past strong support on Beacon Hill for legal aid funding, many Massachusetts residents who qualify for free legal assistance are still turned away due to the lack of resources.
For FY 2026, MLAC is seeking a $3 million increase. According to a fact sheet shared by MLAC at Walk to the Hill, MLAC’s $54 million budget request “will help MLAC-funded civil legal aid organizations increase support for proven programs, serve more people and families facing serious legal issues, and stabilize legal staffing capacity.”
MBA President Victoria M. Santoro addressed the crowd at Walk to the Hill and spoke about the importance of obtaining more funding for civil legal aid.
“Housing assistance continues to be the most pressing need for individuals and families seeking legal aid in Massachusetts. And it’s not just for those facing evictions or tenants seeking safer housing conditions,” she said. “Many of those who qualify for rental assistance programs still need help working through the maze of applications or appealing from denials. And those who qualify for and receive housing assistance may still find it difficult to find housing due to rising rental costs and low inventory. …
“For low-income individuals and families facing these challenges, a legal aid attorney can be a lifeline.” Santoro said.