Santoro & Gray Participate in the Annual “Walk to the Hill” for Civil Legal Aid

On January 28, 2026, Santoro & Gray joined hundreds of legal professionals and law students for the 27th Annual “Walk to the Hill.” Held at the Massachusetts State House, participants urged legislators to support funding for civil legal aid.

For many people in crisis in Massachusetts, civil legal aid is a lifeline. Additional funding would directly support programs that thousands of individuals and families rely on to help them face a complicated legal system.

What is Walk to the Hill?

Walk to the Hill is an annual event hosted by the Equal Justice Coalition to raise awareness and support for civil legal aid funding in Massachusetts. Every year, attorneys, judges, legal services organizations, students and advocates gather to highlight just how important civil legal aid is in the Commonwealth.

Santoro & Gray has long participated in the Walk to the Hill in support of legal representation and resources to help individuals and families with low incomes who face legal challenges that affect their basic needs.

This year, the event featured remarks from state and local bar association leaders as well as a client who told her story about how civil legal aid changed her family’s life. After the speeches, participants met with senators and representatives to chat about the critical role civil legal aid plays.

Lynne Parker, director of Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, summed up the heart behind this important event when she stated, “Behind every number is a person in crisis: a veteran struggling to afford groceries; a mother making the difficult decision to leave her abusive spouse and protect her children; an aging senior afraid of losing her home as medical bills pile up.”

Why civil legal aid funding matters

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that a criminal defendant has the right to have an attorney. If a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the government is required to provide one. In contrast, people who are facing serious civil legal problems generally do not have the right to an attorney. For individuals with low income, this can put them in a very vulnerable situation.

Legal aid organizations in Massachusetts provide vital services that help thousands of low-income individuals address non-criminal legal issues. In Massachusetts, much of this funding flows through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC), which is the largest funding source for civil legal aid organizations in Massachusetts.

MLAC was established in 1983 to ensure that low-income people with critical non-criminal legal problems would have access to legal information, advice, and representation. Today, MLAC serves thousands of individuals and families every year.

Demand for essential civil legal aid in Massachusetts continues to exceed available resources. Despite MLAC’s fiscal year 2025 budget allocation of $51 million, the need for services is greater than current funding levels. For fiscal year 2026, MLAC is seeking more funding to meet the demand to help programs, people, and families facing serious legal issues.

Legal issues addressed by legal aid

Civil legal aid organizations in Massachusetts can help people with a wide range of legal issues, including the following:

• Employment
• Family law
• Domestic violence
• Housing
• Health care
• Education
• Veterans health care
• Immigration
• Income maintenance
• Taxes
• Elder law issues

Civil legal aid funding matters because it strengthens access to equal justice in Massachusetts.

Why civil legal aid is a smart investment for Massachusetts

Civil legal aid generated $109 million in economic benefits in fiscal year 2024, which included costs the Commonwealth avoided in addition to the revenue it generated.

When legal aid helps someone stay housed, the state avoids emergency shelter costs. When lawyers help residents successfully obtain benefits they’re owed, the money gets spent locally. Keeping families financially stable reduces long-term reliance on public assistance. Civil legal aid isn’t charity – it’s preventive infrastructure. Dollars spent can save multiple dollars elsewhere, all while protecting people in Massachusetts.

Santoro & Gray’s broader commitment to the legal community

People and families with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level are generally eligible for civil legal aid through MLAC-funded programs. This means those making $40,187 per year for a family of four or $19,562 for an individual can qualify for civil legal aid. The latest census data show that more than 325,700 people are living in extreme poverty, defined as having an income below 50% of the poverty line.

At Santoro & Gray, supporting access to legal assistance is an important part of the firm’s commitment to justice. Participation in Walk to the Hill is just one way we support civil legal aid and improve the quality of life not only for our clients, but for the community as a whole.

We’re proud to stand up for civil legal aid efforts in Massachusetts.