Lawyer for the Day programs across various courts provide basic legal advice, help you understand relevant laws and your rights, and assist you in filling out court forms. They do not go with you into the courtroom, but can equip you to better represent yourself in court.
Program Benefits
Every Lawyer for the Day program is different. A program might:
- Give you basic legal advice and help with strategy
- Help you identify and fill out court forms
- Answer legal questions you may have about your case (i.e., evidence you will need)
- Discuss which legal options are best for you
- Assist you in determining your next steps and understanding court procedure as it applies to your case
- Make sure you understand and are aware of relevant laws, legal resources, and information
- Represent you in mediation or in front of the judge (not in Probate and Family Court).
Additional Resources
Common Lawyer for the Day Services
Depending on which court you visit for the Lawyer for the Day program, a number of services will be available to eligible attendees. These include:
- Legal advice and strategy
- Document preparation
- Referrals to service agencies and community resources
- Representation in mediation
- Assistance with filling out forms
- Filing court appearances
The availability of these services will vary from location to location. Please contact your local court to confirm if it hosts a Lawyer for the Day program.
Eligibility and Availability
Lawyer for the Day programs help people on any side of the case. Some courts have volunteer lawyers who help you with your case for that day only, and each program has its own rules. For example:
- Some only serve people with low income.
- Some require you to make an appointment before you come to court.
There is no guarantee that you will get to meet with a lawyer. Lawyers are volunteering their time, and sometimes they might not be available on the day that the program is open. Check with your court to make sure the Lawyer for the Day program will be open on the day that you will be in court.
To make the best use of the Lawyer of the Day Program, be sure to:
- Check with the court to make sure volunteer attorneys are scheduled to be at the courthouse on the date of your hearing (always call ahead)
- Bring all your paperwork regarding your case
- Arrive at the courthouse early to have enough time discuss your issues.
Lawyer for the Day Locations
Lawyer for the Day programs are not available at every court location. However, you can check whether your court hosts a Lawyer for the Day program by visiting that court's page. You can get to individual location pages here: