Free and Low-Cost Legal Help in Western Massachusetts
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.
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 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
- 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.
Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder
Find free and low-cost legal help by topic and by where you live.
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
- Toll-free: 1-866-627-7577
- 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.
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.
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.
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. 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. The details there were last reviewed on June 22, 2026. Services, fees and hours change, so confirm with the organization.
Questions about a deadline or a potential claim are best answered early. An initial conversation with the firm is confidential and without obligation.