Veterans Legal Services

Who We Are

Veterans Legal Services is a non-profit organization that promotes equity by providing free and comprehensive civil legal aid services to economically disadvantaged military veterans in Massachusetts.

Our Mission

At VLS we strive to help Massachusetts veterans overcome adversity by providing free civil legal aid that honors their service, promotes well-being, and responds to their distinctive needs.

Who We Serve

Veterans Legal Services serves approximately 900 clients per year at legal clinics located in various community locations where veterans receive services.  We provide in-person intake and legal assistance to veterans at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, the Bedford VA Medical Center, the Brockton VA Medical Center, Volunteers of America in Quincy, Veterans Northeast Outreach Center in Haverhill, the Veterans' Treatment Court in Norfolk County, and the Chelsea Soldier's Home. 


For Pro Bono Lawyers: 

We welcome attorney volunteers from the private bar willing and able to accept accept pro bono assignments in their areas of specialization and/or interest. Attorney volunteers use their legal skills to give back to the community, and learn about new areas of law in the process. Your volunteer work is covered by Veterans Legal Services' malpractice insurance. Some ways to volunteer include:

  • Accept pro bono case assignments for representation, consultation and/or limited assistance;
  • Counsel clients at one-time events such as the annual Greater Boston Stand Down; 
  • Participate as presenter or panelist on relevant topics at events VLS puts on for the private bar or others who serve veterans in the community, such as case workers.
For Pro Bono Law Student Advocates:

Veterans Legal Services provides an excellent training ground for law students to learn legal practice and professionalism. Law student advocates may volunteer at our legal clinics during the school year and summer, and we have a full-time summer internship program. Law student volunteers are required to participate in our training program, and we welcome 1L, 2L and 3L volunteers.

Time commitment varies. Law student advocates who are volunteers (i.e., not receiving academic credit) are expected to work at least five hours a week. More information about our law student opportunities can be found on our website at veteranslegalservices.org .

Listing up-to-date as of March 2024.

  • State(s) of Volunteer Opportunity: Massachusetts
  • Area of law: Consumer, Debt/Credit/Bankruptcy, Disability, Employment, Family, Homeless, Housing, Public Benefits, Veterans, CORI, public housing eligibility, veterans benefits, child support modification
  • Populations Served: Individuals with criminal histories, Low Income, Military/Veterans, Persons with Disabilities, Working poor and unemployed
  • Opportunities For: Law school clinic, Law Students, Lawyers, Mentors, Paralegals
  • Hours for Pro Bono Opportunities: Flexible
  • Malpractice insurance is provided for volunteers: Yes
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Training Required: Yes
  • CLE credit for trainings: No
  • Training / Supervision Comments: Training required for law students.
  • CLE credit for pro bono: No
  • Mentoring or supervision offered: Yes
  • Volunteer lawyers need to meet a caseload or hours requirement: No
  • Types of projects in need of Pro Bono help: Client counseling (e.g., brief advice), Client intake and screening, Litigation: Trial/Direct Representation, Mentor volunteer lawyers or law students
  • Volunteers may participate long-distance: No
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