Community Legal Aid (CLA) -- which provides free civil
legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of Worcester,
Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties -- was created
this summer when Legal Assistance Corp. of Central Massachusetts
(LACCM) combined with Western Massachusetts Legal Services
(WMLS).
CLA specializes in elder law, government benefits and
unemployment compensation, landlord-tenant law, humanitarian-based
immigration law, housing and employment discrimination, and family
law matters affecting domestic violence victims. In addition to
assisting clients with their cases, CLA provides training for
social service providers and others on legal issues affecting
low-income and elderly families and individuals.
Previously, LACCM provided free legal services to eligible
clients in the central part of the state, while WMLS provided those
services in the four western counties of the state.
The combined staff of more than 50 people works at CLA's main
offices in Northampton, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester. CLA
staff also meet with clients on designated days at satellite
offices in Fitchburg, Greenfield, Milford, North Adams and
Southbridge.
"CLA's staff looks forward to working together on issues
affecting our client communities," said CLA Executive Director
Jonathan Mannina. "We are proud of the legacy of past providers of
legal aid in Central and Western Massachusetts, and we are
committed to providing the finest legal advocacy for our
clients."