Annual Appeal, cont. from home page

Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation
Jill Hanchett & Michael Leon
Ellen M DiPaola, Esq
Robert Molloy & Kathy Way
Harriet H Onello, Esq
John A Gifford, Esq
Ann E Behravesh, Esq
Michael P Thornton, Esq
Ann McCauley, Esq
Herbert P Wilkins
Jacquelin Apsler
Anne K Morrill, Esq
Law Offices of Alan M Cohen, LLC
Helen E Wendler, Esq
Ruth W Tucker, Esq
R Hale Andrews, Jr, Esq
Lauren & Bill Gabovitch

Thank you for supporting the MWLS 2009 annual appeal!

 

Current trends in legal aid programs, FY07-FY09, based on a recent MLAC report

Specific MWLS stats may differ somewhat due to location, demographic, etc.

  • Housing and unemployment cases have jumped,a result of the housing crisis; employment/unemployment cases have more than doubled since FY07
  • Most legal aid cases did not involve litigation; only 3% involved extensive service
  • Half of the clients served are white, non-hispanic
  • Almost 2/3 of clients are female
  • 26% of clients are aged 60 or older; 7% are children
  • Total staff numbers fell by 5.4% in FY09; further staff reductions have occurred in FY10 but are not reflected
  • Support staff fell the most last year
  • Salaries slowed or reversed their FY08 rise; starting salaries for legal service attorneys in some parts of Massachusetts still at $37,500
  • Pro bono hours declined by 11% in FY09; overall, pro bono hours remained high
  • Attorneys donated almost 46,000 hours through MLAC programs and their regional partners, a value of $10.3 million ($225/hour)
  • MLAC percent of total program revenue dropped sharply; MLAC made up only 45% of total revenue
  • IOLTA accounted for less than half of MLAC funds in FY09
  • Programs have expanded non-MLAC funds; other sources of revenue included foundations, donations, attorneys fees and other government funding
  • Board Composition reflects MLAC requirements; program boards made up of over 50% attorneys and at least 25% of members who are income-eligible for services.

Last year alone, MetroWest Legal Services:

  • assisted or represented 2000 families with legal issues related to domestic violence, Social Security  benefits, special education and more;
  • conducted over 100 clinics to empower more than 350 individuals and families to represent themselves in  landlord/tenant and consumer debt issues;
  • helped over 120 children and families gain access to health care through our KidsCare Connection program; and
  • referred 120 cases to members of MWLS' Private Bar program who provided 1500 hours of free legal services to our clients.