Examples of How We Change Lives

  • A schizophrenic client, off his medications, called with suicidal ideation, wanting to sue his insurance company. BCJ connected him with resources that could help monitor his daily medications, intervened in a suicide emergency, and helped reduced hospital admissions. 

  • A low-income elderly widow who had lived in her home for 40 years, could no longer afford it with her social security alone. BCJ represented her, pro bono, in the sale of her home and coordinated other organizations to empty her home, find her a new apartment, and move her there. 

  • BCJ successfully represented three generations of a family which was being evicted twice, improperly. 

  • BCJ advocated for a low-income widow whose funeral home did not provide everything promised in her deceased husband’s prepaid funeral expenses. We recovered a substantial amount of money for her. 

  • BCJ represented an 85 year-old man in a divorce and persuaded the wife's attorney to reach a settlement, preventing a long, stressful, and expensive trial while freeing up the court docket. 

  • BCJ represented three elderly low-income men and women trapped in predatory loans and saved them $170,000 collectively. 

  • During Covid, a man with a family received  a $12,000 RAFT disbursement that the management company did not apply to his account. Furthermore, the landlord initiated an eviction for non-payment of rent. BCJ successfully stopped the eviction, the RAFT money was credited, additional monies were credited, and three months rent for improper use of the tenant's security deposit was credited.

  • A low-income, disabled, elderly woman purchased a vehicle and "qualified" for a loan to pay for it. The vehicle did not have a good title and was never delivered. Nevertheless, the loan came due and she was concerned if she didn't pay it, that her credit would be negatively affected; and, she didn't want to pay a loan for a car not delivered. BCJ successfully worked to cancel the sales and loan contracts, retrieve her down payment, and return of her auto insurance premium.

KVG, BCJ Supporter
“BCJ services bring profound value to our community.”
— KVG, Executive Director of Project Sage

We provide…

Legal Assistance and Representation

We provide free and sliding fee scale direct legal services to income-qualified individuals in Berkshire County and the surrounding region who need assistance with non-criminal matters in the following areas of law:

  • Bankruptcy

  • Debt

  • Divorce

  • Evictions

  • General Civil Law Matters

  • Real estate purchase and Sales and Deed Preparation for estate planning purposes

  • Settlement Negotiation

  • State Certified Limited Assistance Representation in Housing and Family Courts

  • Tenant/Landlord Issues

  • Wills, Power of Attorney & Medical Proxy

  • Legal Mentorship

Legal Clinics and Consultations

Our regular walk-in clinics are held on a first-come first-served basis:

  • Access to Limited Assistance Representation

  • Free 30-minute legal consultations with licensed attorneys and trained intake paralegals

  • Legal Mentorship

  • Link to direct legal representation and community referrals

  • Learn your rights and what it takes to enforce them

  • Referrals to attorneys

  • Help understanding court documents and procedures

Court Accompaniment & Advocacy

We assist clients by:

  • Direct representation in court hearings and trials

  • Providing emotional and logistical support during legal processes

  • Helping clients navigate the legal system more confidently

  • Access to community resources

  • Legal mentorship where appropriate

  • In Court negotiations

Community Education and Workshops

We believe knowledge is power. BCJ offers:

  • Know-Your-Rights workshops

  • Legal literacy programs for schools, senior centers, and community groups

  • Presentations on current issues in law and justice

  • BCJ is a resource for local non profits and businesses

Mediation and Conflict Resolution

As an alternative to court, BCJ facilitates:

  • Mediation sessions for family disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and civil conflicts

  • Experienced negotiators help parties reach fair and sustainable agreements

  • Negotiation promotes judicial efficiency and is a cost effective way to settle civil cases saving clients the cost and stress of a trial

Social Services Referrals and Support

In partnership with local organizations, we connect clients to:

  • Access to BCJ’s nurse/social worker

  • Health and mental health services

  • Housing assistance programs

  • Food security and public benefits

  • Employment and financial counseling