The dramatic rise in predatory lending, housing foreclosure and consumer debt has resulted in dire consequences for many low-income residents of the commonwealth. In many cases, only a lawyer can help resolve these issues.
The Massachusetts Bar Foundation recently awarded $6,000 in grants to help strengthen the skills of lawyers to assist low-income clients with the often devastating problems stemming from predatory lending, which can ultimately result in homelessness and financial ruin.
The Trustees of the MBF selected the following legal services attorneys to receive stipends of $1,500 each, which will enable them to attend the 2007 Consumer Rights Litigation Conference:
June Beack, Esq., Merrimack Valley Legal Services, Lowell
Nadine Cohen, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services, Boston
Clayton Meixel, Esq., Legal Advocacy and Resource Center, Boston
Andrea Park, Esq., Legal Assistance Corp. of Central Massachusetts, Worcester
Sponsored by the National Consumer Law Center, the conference will take place in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 8 through 11 and will be attended by advocates from all over the country. The Foundation believes participation in this intensive, national-level program will offer a valuable opportunity to learn about successful strategies to assist clients in need.
“We want to ensure that our grantees have every opportunity to achieve success for their clients. Access to training opportunities is central to increasing the capacity of legal services professionals to respond to the most pressing community needs,” noted MBF Executive Director Elizabeth Lynch.
For more information about the MBF, visit www.MassBarFoundation.org.