Lawyers in Somerville, MA

Finding a lawyer in Somerville

Somerville sits in Middlesex County just north of Cambridge and Boston, and civil and criminal cases from the city are generally heard in Middlesex County's courts. The city is home to part of Tufts University and is built mostly of dense triple-decker houses and condominiums with a large renter population, which gives local firms a legal market weighted toward landlord-tenant, real estate and family matters.

Legal issues people in Somerville bring to lawyers

Real estate and landlord-tenant lawyers handle condo conversions, leases and disputes between tenants and owners in a city built largely around multi-family housing. Family and divorce attorneys guide residents through custody, support and property division in the Middlesex Probate and Family Court. Employment lawyers take on wage, discrimination and workplace disputes for residents commuting to jobs in Cambridge and Boston. Criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing charges in Middlesex County's courts. Personal injury and car accident lawyers pursue claims from collisions on the city's busy squares and connecting roads. Estate planning and probate attorneys help residents draft wills, trusts and health-care proxies.

Choosing a law firm in Somerville

Look the attorney up in the Board of Bar Overseers' online records to confirm the registration is active and check for any disciplinary history — bar association membership in Massachusetts is voluntary and is not a substitute for this check. Ask whether the firm regularly appears in Middlesex County's courts, and for a housing matter, whether the lawyer has specific experience with local landlord-tenant disputes. Settle billing — contingency, hourly or flat fee — and get the agreement in writing before work begins.

Free and low-cost help

Low-income Somerville residents can turn to Greater Boston Legal Services for help with housing, family and benefits matters. A reduced-fee first meeting with a private attorney is also available through the Massachusetts Bar Association's lawyer referral service, and law schools in the Boston area run clinics where supervised students take on cases.

Lawyers in Massachusetts · real estate lawyers in Somerville · Nearby: lawyers in Cambridge

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