# Free and Low-Cost Legal Help in Western Massachusetts > Civil legal aid, lawyer referral, free phone advice and public defenders: who helps with which legal problem in Western Massachusetts, and what it costs. [Canonical page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/free-legal-help-western-massachusetts/) --- - [Home](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/) - [Insights](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/) - Free and Low-Cost Legal Help in Western Massachusetts Insights # Free and Low-Cost Legal Help in Western Massachusetts October 20, 2026 Dunn & Phillips, P.C. ## The short version - Community Legal Aid (1-855-252-5342) provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of Central and Western Massachusetts. - The Massachusetts Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service connects you with a lawyer for your type of matter; a 30-minute consultation is $25 or less. - MBA Dial-A-Lawyer gives free phone advice from a volunteer attorney on the first Wednesday of each month, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, the Committee for Public Counsel Services is the state's public defender agency. On this page - [Free civil legal aid](#free-civil-legal-aid) - [Finding a lawyer for your kind of case](#finding-a-lawyer-for-your-kind-of-case) - [If you are charged with a crime](#if-you-are-charged-with-a-crime) - [Other bar associations](#other-bar-associations) - [When to call us instead](#when-to-call-us-instead) Not every legal problem needs a private law firm, and not everyone can afford one. Massachusetts has a network of free and low-cost legal help. Knowing which door to knock on saves time when the clock is running on a deadline. These organizations help with civil (non-criminal) legal needs such as housing, benefits and family safety, plus a public defender agency for criminal cases. **Dunn & Phillips is not one of these organizations.** We list them on our [community resources page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/resources/) because the right help for some problems is not us, and we would rather point you there than leave you guessing. ## Free civil legal aid ### Community Legal Aid Free civil legal services for low-income and elderly residents of Central and Western Massachusetts. - **HelpLine:** [1-855-252-5342](tel:+18552525342) - [communitylegal.org](https://communitylegal.org) ### MassLegalHelp Plain-language legal information, and a tool to find legal aid near you. A good place to read up before you call anyone. - [masslegalhelp.org](https://www.masslegalhelp.org) ### Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder Find free and low-cost legal help by topic and by where you live. - [masslrf.org](https://masslrf.org) ## Finding a lawyer for your kind of case ### Massachusetts Bar Association: Lawyer Referral Service Connects you with a lawyer for your type of matter. A 30-minute consultation is $25 or less. - **Local:** [617-654-0400](tel:+16176540400) - **Toll-free:** [1-866-627-7577](tel:+18666277577) - [masslawhelp.com](https://www.masslawhelp.com) ### MBA Dial-A-Lawyer Free phone advice from a volunteer attorney on the first Wednesday of each month, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - [617-338-0610](tel:+16173380610) - [massbar.org/public/dial-a-lawyer](https://www.massbar.org/public/dial-a-lawyer) ### Hampden County Bar Association: Lawyer Referral The county bar association, based in Springfield. Its referral service connects you with a local attorney who handles your type of matter. - [hcbar.org](https://www.hcbar.org) ## If you are charged with a crime ### Committee for Public Counsel Services The Commonwealth's public defender agency. It provides lawyers for people who cannot afford one in criminal cases and certain civil cases. - [publiccounsel.net](https://www.publiccounsel.net) ## Other bar associations These professional associations also appear on the City of Springfield Law Department's list of legal resources. - **American Bar Association:** the national association of lawyers. Its public pages explain legal topics and how to find legal help. - **Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association:** lawyers who represent Massachusetts cities and towns; formerly the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association. - **International Municipal Lawyers Association:** a national association of lawyers who represent local governments. ## When to call us instead If you were hurt in a crash, a fall or at work, are buying or selling a home, or need a will or help with probate, that is our work, and [the first conversation is free](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/assess-my-case/). If we are not the right firm for your problem, we will tell you so at the start and point you to someone who is. The full list is on our [community resources page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/resources/). The details there were last reviewed on June 22, 2026. Services, fees and hours change, so confirm with the organization. Discuss your matter Questions about a deadline or a potential claim are best answered early. An initial conversation with the firm is confidential and without obligation. [Request a Consultation](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/contact/) This page is general information only, not legal advice for any specific situation, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every matter depends on its own facts; for advice on your particular circumstances, talk to a licensed attorney. Published by Dunn & Phillips, P.C., 185 Belmont Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108. Responsible attorney: Cornelius W. Phillips, III. ## Tell us what happened. The first conversation is free. You'll leave knowing where you stand. [Call or text (413) 426-8657](tel:+14134268657) [Message us](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/contact/) Answered live, 24 hours a day. 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