Lawyers in Massachusetts

Finding a lawyer in Massachusetts

Massachusetts packs a lot of lawyers into a small state, and most of them are within an hour of Boston. The city and its inner suburbs are home to large firms, but Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, the South Shore and Cape Cod each have their own legal communities built around the local courthouses. For most personal matters, a lawyer who works regularly in your county's courts is a better fit than a big-name Boston firm.

This directory lists Massachusetts law firms by city and by practice area. Pick a city to see who practices nearby, or start from the type of problem you have. Firm pages show contact details so you can call or write directly.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Speak to a Massachusetts attorney early if you have been arrested or summoned to court, if you were injured in a car crash or on someone's property, if you are being evicted or sued, or if a divorce involves children, a home or retirement savings. Immigration matters that could affect your status also deserve a lawyer's attention. Deadlines are set by state law and some are short, so a prompt consultation keeps your options open.

You may not need a lawyer for a small money claim, which the small claims sessions of the District Court and Boston Municipal Court are designed for, or for a routine traffic citation or simple document. Many Massachusetts lawyers offer a free or low-cost first meeting, which is an inexpensive way to find out which group your problem belongs to.

Common practice areas in Massachusetts

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — negligence claims after collisions, falls and other injuries.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, custody, child support and alimony, heard in the Probate and Family Court.
• Criminal Defense — misdemeanors and many felonies in the District Court, more serious cases in the Superior Court.
• DUI & DWI — Massachusetts calls it operating under the influence (OUI); a charge brings both a criminal case and a license matter with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts, health-care proxies and estate administration in the Probate and Family Court.
• Real Estate — purchases and sales, condominium matters and landlord-tenant disputes; residential closings in Massachusetts customarily involve an attorney.
• Employment — discrimination, wrongful termination and wage claims under state and federal law.
• Workers' Compensation — on-the-job injury benefits through the Department of Industrial Accidents.
• Immigration, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability — federal matters with their own courts and appeals.
• Business — formation, contracts and disputes.

How to check a lawyer's license in Massachusetts

Attorneys in Massachusetts are admitted by the Supreme Judicial Court and must register each year with the Board of Bar Overseers. The Board's online attorney lookup shows whether a lawyer is active and in good standing, the year of admission and any public discipline. There is no mandatory bar association in Massachusetts; the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association are voluntary groups, so membership in them is not proof of a license.

When you search, confirm the status is active, that the name and office match the person you are dealing with, and that any disciplinary record has been explained. Complaints about a lawyer's conduct are handled by the Office of Bar Counsel and the Board of Bar Overseers.

How to choose a law firm

Look for a firm whose regular work matches your case and your court. A lawyer who is in the Probate and Family Court in your county every week knows its judges and routines; one who mostly handles business deals may not. Ask how many matters like yours the firm has handled recently and who will do the work.

Discuss fees at the start. Injury and workers' compensation cases are usually taken on contingency, with the fee paid from any recovery. Divorce, criminal and business matters are more often hourly or flat-fee, frequently with a retainer. Insist on a written fee agreement, confirm which expenses are billed separately, and ask how the firm communicates.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

• How many cases like mine have you handled in this court recently?
• Who will handle my case day to day?
• How do cases like mine usually end, and what drives the difference?
• What will I owe if the case ends early or we part ways?
• What deadlines apply to me right now?
• How do I reach you between court dates?
• Are you in good standing with the Board of Bar Overseers?

Free and low-cost legal help

Massachusetts has a statewide network of civil legal aid programs, with Greater Boston Legal Services covering the metro area and regional programs serving the rest of the state, focused on housing, family, benefits and immigration matters. The Massachusetts Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that arranges a reduced-fee first meeting. Law schools in the Boston area operate clinics where supervised students represent clients. Anyone charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer is entitled to appointed counsel through the Committee for Public Counsel Services.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Massachusetts attorney about your situation.