Lawyers Clearinghouse

This is a great opportunity for undergraduate students interested in working closely with Lawyers Clearinghouse staff as we support the Massachusetts nonprofit sector and engage senior attorneys in pro bono service.

Image of text that says: “Join the Lawyers Clearinghouse team! Access to Justice Fellows Program Intern Nonprofit Assistance Program Intern HIRING! Learn more and apply at lawyersclearinghouse.org”

We're hiring interns for the 2025-26 academic year! Learn more and apply by 8/11:

Fellows Program Intern: lawyersclearinghouse.org/2025-26-a2j-...
Nonprofit Assistance Program Intern: lawyersclearinghouse.org/2025-26-nap-...

Image of text that says: “Legal Tip Tuesday Topic: Organizing a Tenant Group A tenant association is a group of tenants who work to fix their housing problems. It is illegal for landlords to retaliate against you for joining. Follow these steps to start organizing: 1. Know Your Rights 2. Identify Problems 3. Make a Plan 4. Choose Your Tactics 5. Start a Tenant Group 6. Get Support 7. Negotiate Information from masslegalhelp.org”

Happy Legal Tip Tuesday! Today, we’re covering tenant groups, which enable tenants to work together to fix their housing problems. Check out the @masslegalhelp.bsky.social website to learn more: masslegalhelp.org/housing-apar...

And remember: tenants have a legal right to organize!

We look forward to celebrating Michelle and her impact at our upcoming 37th Annual Meeting on September 25. Learn more about the event, our other honorees, tickets, and sponsorships: lawyersclearinghouse.org/37th-annual-...

Image of text that says: "I am deeply humbled and honored by this recognition. We have so much to be proud of and so much urgent work to do together. Onward!" - Michelle Volpe, Nolan Leadership Honoree, President of The Property and Casualty Initiative Join us at our 37th Annual Meeting! Learn more at lawyersclearinghouse.org” The background of the image contains a graphic of a city skyline.

Meet 2025 Nolan Leadership Honoree Michelle Volpe, President of The Property and Casualty Initiative! Michelle has spent more than three decades championing affordable housing financing & vital community development initiatives. Learn more about her here: lawyersclearinghouse.org/meet-michell...

Mayor Wu has declared a heat emergency in Boston through Friday. All residents should take care to stay cool and hydrated and avoid long periods of heat exposure. Visit boston.gov/heat to find a cooling center near you and explore more resources to stay safe. #BeatTheHeat

Image of text that says: “Upcoming Nonprofit Workshops & Consultations: Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop Thursday, July 17, Zoom; Check-In: Good Governance & Nonprofit Operations in Challenging Times, Tuesday, July 22, Zoom; Introduction to Fiscal Sponsorship Wednesday, July 30, Zoom. Learn about our pro bono programs and events lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Interested in finding or becoming a fiscal sponsor? Learn about the process, risks, benefits, and more at a workshop on 7/30! Or join us for an Incorporation Workshop or Governance Check-In.

7/17: bit.ly/jul17incorpo...
7/22: bit.ly/jul22checkin
7/30: bit.ly/jul30fiscals...

Image of text that says: “Legal Tip Tuesday Topic: Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits Recent Executive Orders have impacted and continue to impact countless nonprofits. This chart is updated frequently to keep nonprofits aware of the ways these orders may affect their work. It covers many topics, including: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Federal Government; Immigration; LGBTQ+; Environment; Census; Civic Engagement; House of Worship/Faith-Based Groups Information from councilofnonprofits.org”

It’s Legal Tip Tuesday! Want to better understand recent EOs that may impact your nonprofit? National Council of Nonprofits maintains a chart outlining EOs, their implications, and the current legal status as they are are challenged in court. Check it out: councilofnonprofits.org/files/media/...

Learn more about our Clinic Programs, which will resume in early September: lawyersclearinghouse.org/clinic-progr...

Image of text that starts with a quote from a former CORI Clinic client, Amy (name changed), who says: "[The assistance] really benefited me because I'm able to apply for part-time work now as well as housing applications." Below the quote, there is text that says: “Thank you to our June our Legal Clinic and CORI Sealing & Expungement Clinic volunteers from Choate and Mintz! Learn more about our free legal clinics: lawyersclearinghouse.org/clinic-programs”

Thank you to the volunteer attorneys from Choate and Mintz who staffed our Legal Clinics and CORI Sealing & Expungement Clinics this month! With your help, people like Amy (name changed) can overcome legal challenges and access the resources they need to move forward.

Image of text that says: “Upcoming Nonprofit Workshops & Consultations: Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop Thursday, July 17, Zoom; Check-In: Good Governance & Nonprofit Operations in Challenging Times, Tuesday, July 22, Zoom; Introduction to Fiscal Sponsorship Wednesday, July 30, Zoom. Learn about our pro bono programs and events lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Interested in finding or becoming a fiscal sponsor? Learn about the process, risks, benefits, and more at a workshop on 7/30! Or join us for an Incorporation Workshop or Governance Check-In.

7/17: bit.ly/jul17incorpo...
7/22: bit.ly/jul22checkin
7/30: bit.ly/jul30fiscals...

Image of text that says: “Legal Tip Tuesday Topic: Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children (EAEDC) EAEDC provides 2 cash payments per month and MassHealth coverage to help meet basic needs for qualifying Massachusetts residents. Who qualifies? Adults unable to work due to disability (60+ days); Adults 65+ not receiving SSI; Caregivers of unrelated/distantly related children; Caregivers of disabled people who would otherwise need institutional care; Participants in Mass Rehabilitation Commission programs. Information from mass.gov & masslegalhelp.org”

For Legal Tip Tuesday we’re spotlighting Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children (EAEDC), a program that provides qualifying seniors, disabled people, caretakers & children with 2x-monthly payments and MassHealth coverage. Learn more & apply: mass.gov/info-details...

"We've figured out in our own state some lasting, successful interventions to address historical disparaties but the combination of interest rates and home price appreciation has made it incredibly difficult to make homeownership possible for many people." - @clarkziegler.bsky.social

Thank you to the Fellows who contributed!

- John Achatz, Fellow at @denovocenter.bsky.social
- Michael Felsen, Fellow at Justice at Work
- Irene Freidel, Past Fellow & current Detention Program Manager at @pairproject-ma.bsky.social
- Judy Hogan, Fellow at TRII
- Martha Koster, Fellow at PAIR

Background of the image is a photo of two different hands holding each other, as if to provide comfort. There is text laid over the photo, starting with a quote from Judy Hogan, Access to Justice Fellow at The Right to Immigration Institute, who says: "[These] are some of the most hard working, resilient, [and] brilliant people. They are people who just add hugely to the United States." Below the quote, there is a small house logo—the logo for Lawyers Clearinghouse—and text that says: “Learn more at lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Clearinghouse Comms Intern Lucas De Oliveira spoke with a number of A2J Fellows Program Immigration Group members who talked about the uncertainty and hardship their immigrant clients are facing under the current administration. Read the full piece: lawyersclearinghouse.org/a2j-immigrat...

Also featuring two great pieces written by Comms Intern Lucas De Oliveira: an overview of the pro bono work of the Fellows Immigration Group, whose members continue to serve as an essential resource in uncertain times & a profile of volunteer Rich Serkey: lawyersclearinghouse.org/recent-news/

Image of text that says: “Spring News from Lawyers Clearinghouse We hope you enjoy this spring wrap-up covering recent events, feedback, opportunities for self- education, and more! Learn more at lawyersclearinghouse.org”

The Spring Newsletter is here! Check it out for a recap of recent events, book recommendations, feedback, and upcoming workshops: conta.cc/4jTem11

Image of text that says: “Upcoming Nonprofit Workshops & Consultations. Nonprofit Employment Law Basics, Tuesday, June 24, Zoom; Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop, Thursday, July 17, Zoom; Check-In: Good Governance & Nonprofit Operations in Challenging Times, Tuesday, July 22, Zoom. Learn about our pro bono programs and events lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Last chance! Join us for a Nonprofit Employment Law Basics Workshop and Q&A covering legal obligations, liabilities & more. Or check out the 7/17 Incorporation Workshop or the 7/22 Governance & Ops Check-In!

bit.ly/jun24employm...
bit.ly/jul17incorpo...
bit.ly/jul22checkin

Have more questions? Check out our Annual Filings Factsheet: lawyersclearinghouse.org/wp-content/u...
Need a volunteer attorney? Learn more about our Legal Referral Program: lawyersclearinghouse.org/nonprofit-pr...

Check your filing status:
- IRS: apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
- MA Sec. of Commonwealth: corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/Corp...
- MA AG's Office: masscharities.my.site.com/FilingSearch...

Most 501(c)(3) MA nonprofits have THREE annual filing requirements to track:
- IRS Forms (990/990-EZ/990-N): Due 5/15 for calendar year orgs
- MA Sec. of Commonwealth Annual Report: Due 11/1
- MA AG Form PC: Due 5/15 for calendar year orgs

Image of text that says: “Legal Tip Tuesday Topic: Nonprofit Annual Filings Are Your IRS and MA Filings Up to Date? IRS Annual Filing for Organizations Tax-Exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Most orgs must file Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N annually; Filings are due May 15 if fiscal year is calendar year; Miss 3 consecutive years = lose tax-exemption. Check your status: apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ Information from lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Image of text that says: “Legal Tip Tuesday Topic: Nonprofit Annual Filings MA Secretary of the Commonwealth - Annual Report for Nonprofit Corporations. MA nonprofit corporations must file with Secretary of the Commonwealth; Due Nov 1 every year, including incorporation year; List dual roles- note if someone is both officer AND director. Check your status: corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx Information from lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Image of text that says: “Legal Tip Tuesday Topic: Nonprofit Annual Filings MA Attorney General Registration and Filing Requirement for Most Charitable Orgs. Most MA orgs must register & file Form PC annually; Due 4.5 months after end of fiscal year; CPA review of financials required if over $500K, audit if over $1M. Check your status: Check your status: masscharities.my.site.com/FilingSearch/s/ Information from lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Welcome back to Legal Tip Tuesday! This week, we're discussing Nonprofit Annual Filings. Pro tip: mark your calendars so you remember when to complete them!

Image of text that says: “Upcoming Nonprofit Workshops & Consultations Nonprofit Employment Law Basics Tuesday, June 24, Zoom; Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop Thursday, July 17, Zoom; Check-In: Good Governance & Nonprofit Operations in Challenging Times Tuesday, July 22, Zoom Learn about our pro bono programs and events: lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Questions about #nonprofit employment law? Join us for a workshop and Q&A covering legal obligations, potential liabilities, and more. Or check out the 7/17 Incorporation Workshop or the 7/22 Governance & Operations Check-In!

bit.ly/jun24employm...
bit.ly/jul17incorpo...
bit.ly/jul22checkin

Image of text that says: “Upcoming Nonprofit Workshops & Consultations Nonprofit Employment Law Basics Tuesday, June 24, Zoom; Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop Thursday, July 17, Zoom; Check-In: Good Governance & Nonprofit Operations in Challenging Times Tuesday, July 22, Zoom Learn about our pro bono programs and events: lawyersclearinghouse.org”

Qs about #nonprofit employment law? Join us for a workshop and Q&A covering legal obligations, liabilities & more. Or check out the 7/17 Incorporation Workshop or the 7/22 Governance & Operations Check-In!

bit.ly/jun24employm...
bit.ly/jul17incorpo...
bit.ly/jul22checkin

Our next Eviction Record Sealing workshop at OHS is coming up on Thurs June 12! Register now at bit.ly/EvictionRecordSealing2025

It covers a range of topics, including compliance and potential strategies for navigating changes, incoming executive orders (updated regularly by the National Council of Nonprofits), immigration enforcement, DEI programming, federal funding, and lobbying and advocacy efforts.

Image of text that says: “Legal Tip Tuesday Topic: Nonprofits and the New Administration Need help making sense of the federal initiatives impacting nonprofits? Check out this resource page from Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, covering basic considerations, immigration, DEI programming, funding changes, and lobbying and advocacy. Information from pbpatl.org”

It's Legal Tip Tuesday! Today we’re discussing resources related to the executive orders & initiatives the government is using to target #nonprofits. It can be hard to keep track of everything, but this page from Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta is a great place to start: pbpatl.org/resources-3/...

Or join us for an in-person Legal Clinic at St. Francis House this Friday, June 6! Details: bit.ly/jun6stfranci...

Need assistance with a civil legal issue (such as eviction, housing discrimination, benefits, SSI/SSDI, unemployment, or credit and tax issues) or with your Massachusetts-based criminal record (CORI)? Learn more about our free clinics: lawyersclearinghouse.org/clinic-progr...

Image of text that starts with a quote from recent clinic attendee, Bilal*, who says: “I’m really glad there are people here dedicating their time helping people like me who need it." The rest of the text says: “Thank you to our May clinic volunteers from Robins Kaplan, Latham & Watkins, Brown Rudnick, Goodwin, and Morgan Lewis! Learn more about our free legal clinics: lawyercearinghouse.org/clinic-programs”

Thank you to our May Legal Clinic and CORI Clinic volunteers from Robins Kaplan, @lathamwatkins.bsky.social, Brown Rudnick, @goodwinlaw.bsky.social, and @morganlewislaw.bsky.social! We appreciate you dedicating your time to help people like Bilal (name changed) overcome legal challenges.