MLAC was established by the Commonwealth in 1983 to ensure that people with low incomes facing critical non-criminal legal problems would have access to legal information, advice, and representation. MLAC’s mission is to provide leadership and support to improve civil legal services to people with low incomes in Massachusetts through collaboration with the legal services community, the public, the
bar, and the legislature. About civil legal aid:
Civil legal aid organizations provide free information, advice, and representation to people who otherwise would not receive help with serious legal issues related to housing, healthcare, immigration, employment, education, family law and domestic violence, disability, consumer problems, and elder issues. People with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty line—$34,688 per year for a family of four in 2022—are eligible for civil legal aid. and Massachusetts Constitutions guarantee criminal defendants a right to counsel, most people in civil cases do not have that right. The consequences of civil cases can be severe: people can lose their homes, health, safety, family, and financial stability without ever having spoken to a lawyer. Civil legal aid seeks to ensure that all residents of Massachusetts have equal access to justice.
