Veterans Legal Services Information

It is the mission of Veterans Legal Services to help Massachusetts veterans overcome adversity by providing free civil legal aid that honors their service, promotes well-being, and responds to their distinctive needs. Veterans Legal Services (VLS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is the leader in providing free legal advice and representation to homeless and low-income veterans in the Greater Boston area and serves over 500 veterans cases per year at its legal clinics. By locating legal clinics at homeless shelters and service centers, VLS reaches members of our society who are often reluctant to seek legal help and is able to partner with shelter staff to provide holistic support. During its legal clinics, VLS staff attorneys supervise volunteer law students who perform client intakes. After determining eligibility and performing due diligence, VLS offers the veteran either on-the-spot advice, brief service such as helping with pleadings, or full legal representation, up to and including representing the veteran in court or in front of state/federal agencies. VLS is the only legal aid organization in Massachusetts whose mission is to serve veterans. VLS prioritizes veterans where legal representation may yield a life-changing result that restores a veteran's self-sufficiency and dignity. We prioritize cases for the disabled, victims of domestic violence, and cases where there is a significant disparity in resources or the opposing party has representation. Veterans Legal Services serves over 500 veterans cases per year at its legal clinics. Previously known as Shelter Legal Services, in late 2013 we began doing business as Veterans Legal Services to better reflect our mission of serving those who serve our country.