Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services - MA
Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services, an affiliate of Greater Boston Legal Services, provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents in Cambridge, Somerville, and neighboring communities. With a focus on eviction defense, affordable housing preservation, and disability benefits advocacy, the office ensures vulnerable households receive high-quality legal protection at no cost.
Free Civil Legal Aid and Tenant Defense in Cambridge, Massachusetts
When low-income families face the threat of homelessness, loss of public assistance, or unlawful eviction, navigating civil courts without representation can lead to devastating consequences. Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services operates as the community legal aid office of Greater Boston Legal Services, serving Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Belmont, Woburn, and Winchester. Located on Gore Street in East Cambridge, the program delivers comprehensive civil legal advocacy to defend fundamental necessities: safe housing, subsistence income, and personal safety. Whether you need an experienced attorney to defend against a summary process eviction or seek to find a lawyer to appeal federal disability denials, Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services provides compassionate advocacy.
Core Areas of Legal Assistance
The dedicated advocates and staff attorneys at Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services provide direct legal representation, counsel, and community education across multiple critical legal fields. Eligible community members who need to consult a lawyer can access high-caliber pro bono services across several key practice areas, including:
- Residential real estate lawyers: Defending low-income tenants against retaliatory evictions, challenging unlawful rent hikes, and preserving subsidized housing tenancies.
- Domestic violence lawyers: Protecting abuse survivors through emergency restraining orders, protective legal maneuvers, and safe housing transfers.
- Divorce and family law lawyers: Assisting vulnerable parents with contested custody, child support, and critical domestic relations proceedings.
- Wage and hour lawyers: Protecting low-wage workers against wage theft, unlawful wage deductions, unpaid overtime, and unfair treatment.
- Immigration lawyers: Supporting immigrant families in navigating humanitarian relief petitions, asylum claims, and residency matters.
- Public benefits advocacy: Representing disabled individuals in SSI and SSDI appeals before administrative law judges and securing emergency cash assistance.
Community-Driven Impact and Systemic Reform
Beyond individual courtroom representation, Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services actively pursues systemic impact advocacy designed to address the root causes of urban poverty. By partnering closely with municipal housing offices, tenant unions, and neighborhood coalitions, the office spearheads policy initiatives that prohibit predatory landlord practices, such as excessive application fees and unfair lease penalties. The attorneys and paralegals recognize that housing security is intrinsically linked to public health and racial equity. When you consult a lawyer through our East Cambridge office, you receive individualized support backed by decades of institutional knowledge and systemic advocacy across Greater Boston.
Dedicated Pro Bono Advocacy for Eligible Residents
Unlike private law practices that require substantial retainer fees, Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services operates entirely free of charge for qualifying low-income clients. The office traces its roots back to 1899 through the Greater Boston Legal Services tradition, maintaining a relentless commitment to equal access to justice. Supported by multilingual staff and interpretation capabilities in languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Mandarin Chinese, the organization ensures that linguistic barriers never obstruct vital legal defense. If you are facing housing displacement or need to hire an attorney to protect your family rights, contact Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services on Gore Street today to learn more about intake screening and program eligibility.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Located in the historic East Cambridge neighborhood, which is characterized by its residential streets and proximity to the Lechmere canal area.
Building Location
The office is located in a 2-story brick commercial building at 60 Gore St. It is situated close to the East Cambridge Post Office and Silva Park.
Parking Details
Free client parking is available on-site in the designated surface customer parking lot. Additional paid and public surface parking lots are located in the surrounding blocks.
Public Transit
Served by MBTA Route 69 (Harvard Square - Lechmere Station); nearest stop is at Cambridge St @ Sciarappa St.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter the building through the main glass entrance doors on Gore Street. Proceed into the lobby area and take either the stairs or the elevator up to the second floor to locate Suite 203. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.