The Arbitration and Mediation Service of the Hampden County Bar Association is proud to present a roster of highly qualified mediators and arbitrators. The members of our panel, as an accommodation to the Bar Association, have agreed to serve at substantially reduced rates for arbitrations, mediations or case evaluations. Indeed, many of our panel members independently mediate and arbitrate cases at higher rates. Why not conserve resources by coordinating your arbitrations or mediations through the Hampden County Bar Association? We encourage you to support your bar association by keeping the Arbitration and Mediation Service in mind for alternative dispute resolution. Click here for more information.
The Hampden County Bar Association has received an IOLTA Grant from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation for funding of the HCBA Children's Law Project since 1992. Through this program, children receive legal representation in the Hampden County Family and Probate Court for an array of matters. Panel attorneys are paid at a rate of $50.00 per hour with a maximum amount of $1,500.00 paid per case. Click here for more information.
The Hampden County Legal Clinic (HCLC) is a public service of the Hampden County Bar Association and is sponsored by MassMutual Financial Group. The Legal Clinic offers a variety of pro bono opportunities for attorneys including Lawyer for Day Programs in the Housing, District and Probate Court as well as conciliations, DOR Contempts and LAR. Our primary focus is to provide legal advice and/or representation for individuals who would not otherwise have the means to obtain the knowledge, support, and services we provide. Click here for more information.
The Hampden County Bar Association maintains a Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) through which participating attorneys receive referrals of potential clients who seek the assistance from the Bar Association. The Hampden County Bar Association's LRIS is the only LRIS program in the state that meets American Bar Association standards for lawyer referral.
Participating attorneys become members of a panel of attorneys versed in a variety of legal subject matters. Clients are screened and have indicated that, except for contingent fee cases, they can pay for an attorney. Any fee generated is divided between you (85%) and the HCBA (15%). It is important that private attorneys are available to potential clients who are unfamiliar with the legal system. Click here for more information on joining the LRIS panel.
PROBATE COURT PROGRAMS
The Hampden County Bar Association coordinates several programs in the Probate and Family Court to assist with timely access to justice for litigants and to keep the cases moving forward. To learn more about the programs available, click here.
DISTRICT COURT LAWYER FOR THE DAY
The Hampden County Bar Association coordinates a District Court Lawyer for the Day program for attorneys to provide assistance to litigants with civil district court cases through guidance and advice. There is no court time associated with this program and volunteers are here in an advisory capacity only. This is a great way to give back to your community. Click here to learn more about the program and how to volunteer.
HOUSING COURT LAWYER FOR THE DAY
The Hampden County Bar Association, in conjunction with the Womens' Bar Foundation, coordinates a Housing Court Lawyer for the Day program for attorneys to provide income eligible landlords and tenants with free legal assistance in Housing Court every Thursday, which is Summary Process/Eviction day. The Housing Court Lawyer for the Day may be called upon to file a court appearance, on the day they volunteer only, to represent the client in their eviction case. The volunteers may also advocate for their clients through mediation with a court specialist. This is a great way to give back to your community. Click here to learn more about the program and how to volunteer.
MONDAY LANDLORD/TENANT CLINIC
The Hampden County Bar Association through its legal clinic coordinates a Housing Landlord/Tenant Clinic for attorneys to provide landlords and tenants with free legal assistance on housing matters on Mondays in the HCBA lobby. There is no court time associated with this program and volunteers are here in an advisory capacity only. This is a great way to give back to your community. Click here to learn more about the program and how to volunteer.