Individual Legal Representation

Unemployment Benefits: The Employment Unit provides legal representation to individuals who have been denied unemployment insurance, as well as related health insurance and job training benefits. The Unit provides advice and brief assistance at all stages of the unemployment insurance claims process. The Unit also provides full legal representation at hearings before the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance and in appeals to the Board of Review and to the Massachusetts District and Appellate Courts.

Wage Enforcement: The Employment Unit represents individual workers in cases to enforce their rights to the minimum wage, overtime pay, and timely payment of wages, and in obtaining wages.

Discrimination: The Employment Unit provides representation, in a limited number of cases, to immigrant workers with discrimination or harassment claims.

Low Income Tax Clinic: The Employment Unit has established a low income tax clinic to represent working families facing Earned Income Tax Credit (“EITC”) audits, collection actions by the federal or state tax agencies, and denials of  tax refunds for any reason.  It also assists immigrants who are first time tax filers. The Unit is also a member of the Boston EITC Campaign (www.bostontaxhelp.org) that assists low wage taxpayers with tax issues and asset building.

Job Training Access: The Employment Unit represents individuals who seek job training and training-related benefits through the Massachusetts One Stop Career Centers or who seek extended unemployment benefits to pursue job training.

Family and Medical Leave: The Employment Unit represents workers with claims involving violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, such as where a covered worker loses a job because of an illness of the worker or family member or the birth or adoption of a child.

Barriers to Employment: The Employment Unit represents workers who are at risk of losing job opportunities due to a prior criminal record, or due to allegations of alleged misconduct licensing or licensing issues which can result in inability to work in a particular field (such as day care workers or certified nurses aides).

Updated: 08/07/2007