Western Massachusetts lawyers to offer free legal advice

The Republican Newsroom

Photo by Neil A. Hawley Kimberly A. Klimczuk of Springfield, and Cael W. Lindley Jr., of Oakham, offer Western Massachusetts residents free legal advice during the May session of the annual Dial-A-Lawyer program at Western New England College in Springfield. The fall session is set for Oct. 20 from 3:30-7:30 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD – Free legal advice will be given out by phone to any Western Massachusetts resident who calls the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Western Massachusetts Dial-A-Lawyer program on Oct. 20.

Legal questions on any topic will be answered during the four-hour program.

From 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., dozens of volunteer lawyers from the bar association will field phone calls from residents of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties. The program is free, and provided as a public service.

All callers must dial (413) 782-1659 during the four hours to get through to a lawyer. If the line is busy, hang up and try again. Normal telephone charges apply. The phone number will not be answered outside of the specified hours.

“Western Massachusetts residents with legal concerns should really take advantage of this free service,” said Katherine Robertson, who practices in the areas of civil litigation and employment law at the firm of Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas. “While we can’t solve every problem in a short phone call, at the very least we can help point residents in the right direction.”

Robertson said she knows the program helps many in the community. “You can hear it from the people who call: they’re appreciative,” she said. “I think I have managed to help a lot of people.”

Nearly 400 calls came in over four hours during the last Dial-A-Lawyer program in May. Legal topics are varied and include landlord-tenant disputes, worker’s compensation, divorce, criminal matters, estate planning, discrimination, adoption and landlord disputes as well as health and Medicare issues.

“A lot of the people that call don’t even need a lawyer, they need direction and support,” said volunteer Christina Turgeon, who operates her own bankruptcy law practice in Springfield.

The Western Massachusetts Dial-A-lawyer program has been held for the past 16 years and became a semi-annual program, held in May and October, nine years ago. Western New England College School of Law, the only law school in Western Massachusetts, hosts the program. Other sponsors include The Republican, El Pueblo Latino, the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys and the Hispanic National Bar Association.

Susan A. Mielnikowski, an attorney at the firm of Cooley, Shrair in Springfield, has been volunteering for the Western Massachusetts Dial-A-Lawyer program since it began. Mielnikowski said she handles a wide variety of calls related to her practice area, estate and elder planning.

“A lot of times people have called an attorney and they don’t like the answer so they’re looking for a second opinion,” Mielnikowski said. “I always have a wonderful time.”

Incorporated in 1911, the Massachusetts Bar Association is a nonprofit organization that serves the legal profession and the public by promoting the administration of justice, legal education, professional excellence and respect for the law. The association represents a diverse group of attorneys, judges and legal professionals across the commonwealth.

Related topics: dial-a-lawyer , massachusetts-bar-association

You must accept the terms of service before you can post a comment.