Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission

Working to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to the justice they deserve

Attend a Meeting

Our meetings are open to the public, and we welcome anyone who is interested to attend. Please note that all discussion must be limited to the topics listed on the agenda.

The next meeting of the full Commission will be held in September. Check back here for more details in August!

Pro Bono

Our new page provides information about Pro Bono opportunities in Massachusetts and news about pro bono services. Use it as a resource and check back for updates!

Resources

View Collaborative Reports, Civil Legal Data Collection and more by hovering over the “Resources” tab at the top of our page.

Annual Report on Activities

Read the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission’s 2024 Annual Report

What is Access to Justice?

According to the National Center for Access to Justice (NCAJ), “Access to Justice is the Opportunity to Secure Your Rights Under the Law. It means that when people encounter life problems that touch the law they will be able to understand and assert their rights in a neutral process pursuant to the fair rule of law and enforce the result.”

What is Mass A2J?

We are all entitled to justice.

But poverty, physical disability and language barriers are just some of the obstacles that prevent people from gaining full access to all the remedies and relief – in a word, justice – that our courts and government agencies can provide. The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission is working to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to the Justice they deserve.

*Mass A2J is a collaborative initiative focused on improving access to civil justice in Massachusetts; it does not provide legal services or legal representation.

 

Scales of justice and gavel with lawyer in meeting

Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission Team

 

The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission seeks to achieve equal justice for all persons in the Commonwealth by providing leadership and vision to, and coordination with, the many organizations and interested persons involved in providing and improving access to justice for those unable to afford counsel. Meet our current leadership team and Commissioners:

Commission Leadership

Honorable Valerie Yarashus, Co-Chair
Honorable Valerie Yarashus, Co-Chair

Justice, Massachusetts Superior Court

Lisa C. Goodheart, Esq., Co-Chair
Lisa C. Goodheart, Esq., Co-Chair

Partner at Fitch Law Partners LLP

Deb Silva
Deb Silva

Director, Access to Justice Commission

Chip Phinney, Esq.
Chip Phinney, Esq.

Chief Counsel for Judicial Policy at the Supreme Judicial Court

Access to Justice Commissioners

Click here to see a full list of the Access to Justice Commissioners.