Are you new to MHLAC? Do you want to get to know our staff and recent activities? Read the latest about MHLAC on our Facebook page. We also post community events and articles about mental health you may find interesting. If you would like to receive alerts, either about upcoming events or important legislation, contact us via email at mhlac@mhlac.org to be added to MHLAC's mailing list.
Join us for the 2026 Language Access Conference: “Weathering the Storm: Building Trust and Reaching Linguistically Diverse Communities.” Friday, April 10 | 9:30 AM–4:00 PM Live Webcast With 1 in 4 Massachusetts residents speaking a language other than English at home and more than 1.4 million Deaf or hard of hearing residents, effective communication is … Continue reading Register Now | 2026 Language Access Conference on April 16th
MHLAC is searching for a temporary Case Investigator/Paralegal to work on advocacy projects and collaborate with staff to advance the work of the office in defending the rights of people with mental health concerns. This is a temporary position of at least 6 months’ duration, subject to potential extension. Please view the job description below … Continue reading Hiring Announcement March 2026 | Case Investigator/Paralegal (Temporary)
MHLAC is hosting a free webinar on Monday, February 2nd, from 5pm to 6:30pm on Rights to Reasonable Disability Accommodations in Court (flyer attached). Click here to register. This webinar is intended for folks with disabilities and those who support or advocate on their behalf. Please feel free to share with anyone interested! We hope you can join us! Know … Continue reading Register Now | Know Your Rights Court Accommodations Webinar
Please join MHLAC and Proactive Families Advocacy Inc for a virtual Know Your Rights training on topics like special education services, disability accommodations, and more! The training is online on Thursday, January 8th, 5-7pm, on Zoom Scan the QR code on the flyer below to register for the online training! Or click the link here to register … Continue reading Register Now | Know Your Rights Training with Proactive Families Advocacy Inc
Letter to the Boston Globe written by MHLAC’s Executive Director, Phillip Kassel, and Legislative Advocacy Director/Family Law Project Supervising Attorney, Katherine Nemens in response to the Globe's editorial that acknowledges the death of A’zella Ortiz, a child whose family had numerous interventions with the Department of Children and Families before her death ("Why couldn’t DCF save … Continue reading Media | Letter to the Boston Globe (Response to Death of Child Involved with DCF) by Executive Director, Phillip Kassel, and Family Law Project Supervising Attorney, Katherine Nemens
Updated 12/1/25: View Attorney Cregor's remarks on Boston 25 News. Click here to watch the segment or copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/boston-25-news-celebrates-50-years-special-education-1/a91485ec-4bd1-442f-9743-553bbbfa6b04/ Please join MHLAC Attorney Matt Cregor on Boston 25 News this Friday, November 28th at 11:00AM as he discusses the beginnings of modern special education. Alongside a panel of … Continue reading Media | Attorney Cregor on Boston 25 News Friday November 28th
February 2026 Hiring Update – The position has been filled. Thank you to all of our interested applicants.
Please join MHLAC for a Know Your Rights training on Wednesday, October 29th, 6-8pm regarding the rights you have when your student is disciplined. This virtual training will be held on Zoom. To join, please use the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81878465923 (En Español abajo) Únase a MHLAC para una Capacitación de Conozca Sus Derechos el miércoles 29 de … Continue reading Register Now | Virtual Know Your Rights Training on School Discipline
Update 11/4/25: The second training is cancelled and will be rescheduled (both in-person and virtual) for another time. Please join MHLAC and Proactive Families Advocacy Inc for two Know Your Rights training on topics like special education services, disability accommodations, and more! One training is in-person on Thursday, October 23rd, 5-8pm, at 900 Main Street, … Continue reading Register Now | Know Your Rights Training with Proactive Families Advocacy Inc
Free Legal Clinic every Tuesday from 11am-3pm in Springfield, MA by appointment only. The assistance levels may include information and referral, brief advocacy or full representation. The clinic is currently only covering the following issue areas: English Language Learner (ELL) students who are forced to choose between language services and special education services. Parents who do … Continue reading Request An Appointment | Free Legal Clinic (Clínica Legal Gratuita)
Please join MHLAC and our partners (Citizens for Juvenile Justice, Enlace De Familias, and More Than Words) on Tuesday, September 30th for a legislative briefing on criminal justice reform: the cradle-to-prison pipeline. We will speak on three briefs: H.235/S.107 Bill of Rights for Children in Foster Care H.1695/S,1051 An Act Promoting Diversion of Juveniles to … Continue reading Legislative Briefing at the State House | Criminal Justice Reform Caucus
Please join MHLAC and the Wildflower Alliance on July 23rd at 10:30am to learn why Bill H.2211 is so critically needed and to meet with legislators and advocate for change! On this Advocacy Day, events start at 10:30am in room 428 of the Massachusetts State House. Massachusetts State House is located at: 24 Beacon Street, … Continue reading Advocacy Day | Join us at the Statehouse to Advocate for Bill H.2211, An act modernizing the six fundamental rights
Join MHLAC and Thomas Brown for an online training on Bill H.2211, An act modernizing the six fundamental rights! The training will be held twice: Wednesday July 9th and Monday July 21st. Wednesday, July 9th, 2:30-4:00pm - Register here Monday, July 21st, 6-7:30pm - Register here Please register for either event by clicking … Continue reading Register Now | Trainings on Bill H.2211. An act modernizing the six fundamental rights
Please join the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee at Multicultural BRIDGE! for a Wellness Day on July 23rd and a Know Your Rights training on August 7th, 2025! Both events will feature legal advocates that can speak on your child's education plan, English language learning, answer questions, and more. View the flyer here: MHLAC in … Continue reading Outreach | MHLAC in Great Barrington July 23rd and August 7th, 2025
Please join the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee at the Springfield Central Library on August 14th, 2025 to ask questions about your child's education! Education questions and more will be answered by our attorneys and legal advocates. View the flyer here: MHLAC In Springfield Do you have questions about: Your child’s education English language learner … Continue reading Outreach | MHLAC in Springfield August 14th, 2025
MHLAC Senior Attorney Robert Hernandez died suddenly on April 10, 2025, while visiting his ancestral home in Belgium in the company of his wife Elena. His death left his colleagues at MHLAC and advocates statewide shocked and bereft. Bob was a passionate warrior for civil rights and social justice for poor and marginalized people. He … Continue reading Tribute | A Fond Farewell to one of our own, Robert ‘Bob’ Hernandez
Update July 2025: The position has now been filled. Thank you to all of our interested applicants. MHLAC is hiring an Office Manager! See the following job announcement for a description of the position and full details on how to apply. The Office Manager will work full-time in person at MHLAC’s main office screening intakes, … Continue reading Hiring Update March 2025 | Open position announcement
February 2025 Hiring Update - MHLAC has completed hiring for a Staff Attorney. Thank you to all interested applicants.
November 2024 Hiring Update –MHLAC is hiring a Staff Attorney! MHLAC is pleased to announce our search for a Staff Attorney! See the following job description for full details on how to apply. Deadline: Submissions received after December 13th, 2024 may not be considered. The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) seeks a staff attorney to … Continue reading Hiring Update November 2024 | Open positions announcement
November 2024 Hiring Update –MHLAC is hiring an Advocacy Director! MHLAC is pleased to announce our search for an Advocacy Director! See the following job description for full details on how to apply. Deadline: Submissions received after November 22nd, 2024 may not be considered. The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) seeks a senior manager to … Continue reading Hiring Update November 2024 | Open position announcement
August 2024 Hiring Update- MHLAC has completed hiring for an Office Manager. Thank you to all interested applicants. May 2024 Hiring Update –MHLAC is hiring an Office Manager! MHLAC has completed hiring for two of our positions. We welcome our Executive Assistant and Litigation Paralegal to our team. Thank you to all interested applicants. We are … Continue reading Hiring Update May 2024 | Completed
See press release for more information about MHLAC’s recently filed complaint against the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) for failing to fulfill its statutory duty to “provide special education to school aged children with a disability who are incarcerated in county houses of correction.”
MHLAC is hiring for several new roles: Executive Assistant, Office Manager, and a Litigation Paralegal. See the following job announcements for a description of each position and full details on how to apply. Deadline: Submissions received after January 8, 2024 may not be considered. The Executive Assistant, a newly created position, will work full-time coordinating … Continue reading Hiring Update December 2023 | Open positions announcement
Join us for Peer Support Advocacy Day at the State House on June 21st! Hosted by Wildflower Alliance and MassACT, come learn about the bill to establish the first LGBT+ respites in Massachusetts. The day of Transhealth CEO, Dallas Ducar, will give the keynote speech about why we should support peer respites.
MHLAC is pleased to sign on and present this letter of support for the Equitable Approaches to Public Safety (EAPS) grant program. Please read the letter in its entirety here: EAPS Coalition Budget Letter of Support 3-23-23
UPDATE April 2023: The position for Family Law Attorney has been filled. Thank you to all of our applicants and for your interest in MHLAC. March 2023 Hiring Update – MHLAC is hiring! MHLAC is searching for a new Staff Attorney to work on advocacy projects and collaborate with staff to advance the work of the office … Continue reading Hiring Update March 2023
MHLAC's statement in full, also found at Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – MHLAC. "Police violence in the United States is detrimental to our mental health. The total lack of compassion evident in the recent killing of Sayed Faisal, in Cambridge, MA, and the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols, in Memphis, TN, are just two examples … Continue reading New | DEI Statement on Police Violence
MHLAC is pleased to announce an online legislative advocacy training event with MHLAC attorneys, Ivy Moody and Sarah Yousuf, on August 1st, 2022 10am EST. "Learn how to use your personal story to be the catalyst for social change. This 2-hour interactive training is designed for people with lived experience who want to learn how … Continue reading Register Now | August 1st Legislative Advocacy Training
MHLAC Staff attorney Ivy Moody with Seedlings colleague Thomas Brown recently penned this letter regarding the new 988 Lifeline that launched on July 16th, 2022. Visit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | SAMHSA to learn more. Resources for Additional Information: Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program FCC 988 Fact Sheet Suicide Prevention Hotline Fact … Continue reading What is 988? SAMHSA announces new suicide and crisis lifeline
April 2022 Hiring Update - New Attorney search announced MHLAC is searching for a new Litigation Staff Attorney. The ideal candidate is an individual with substantial litigation experience to work on advocacy projects and collaborate with staff to advance the work of the office in defending the rights of persons with mental health concerns. Litigating … Continue reading Hiring Update April 2022
Accepting new intakes only from individuals currently on inpatient units. Also accepting calls from advocates, providers and legislative offices. All other intake areas are closed. Intake will reopen Monday, May 31st. Thank you for your patience.
Parole, Power, and Punishment: The Massachusetts Parole Board's Discriminatory Treatment of People with Mental Health Disabilities Northeastern University School of Law’s Law Office 3 partnered with the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee to investigate the Massachusetts Parole Board’s treatment of individuals with mental health and cognitive disabilities. Our research demonstrates that the Board routinely violates … Continue reading New | Parole, Power and Punishment is now available
December 2021 Hiring Update – administrative and support positions MHLAC recently completed hiring searches for open positions, including Senior Supervising Attorney, Staff Attorney, Family Law Project Attorney and Advocate. More details to follow on welcoming new staff to MHLAC. Current open positions @ MHLAC are: Office Manager Technology Support Specialist Interested applicants are encouraged to apply … Continue reading Hiring Update December 2021
MHLAC is moving to a new office space in Quincy in February 2022! Please send all mail to our new address: 100 Hancock Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1002, Quincy, MA 02171. We will be fully remote through February 1, 2022 and conducting all business virtually until we can welcome you to our new space. You may still … Continue reading MOVING ANNOUNCEMENT
MHLAC is currently hiring for 2 new administrative and support positions. See job descriptions for full details. Also, MHLAC continues to seek interested applicants for the open Advocate position. Office Manager Technology Support Specialist Contact hiring@mhlac.org for additional information and questions.
Phones are up and running again (October 4, 2021) Our phone system is being upgraded. Currently, there is no phone service. Phones should be back in service shortly. Intake is closed during this time however you can continue to contact the intake department at intake@mhlac.org. Once our system is back on line, limited service will … Continue reading Service Interruption | phone system upgrade – resolved October 4, 2021
MHLAC is hiring! Announcing (4) newly open positions. See the following job announcements for a description of each position and full details on how to apply. We encourage email submissions and ask that all questions about the hiring process be directed to hiring@mhlac.org. Advocate Staff Attorney (2 current openings) Family Law Attorney
Read MHLAC's recent blog post Did you know that according to the World Economic Forum’s 2016 Global Risks Report, the failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change will be “the most impactful risk” facing communities worldwide in the coming decade—ahead even of weapons of mass destruction and water crises? Read MHLAC Senior Staff Attorney, Jennifer Honig's … Continue reading New Blog post | “The Mental Health Toll of Climate Change: What Should The Public Health System Do?”
MHLAC is seeking to fill the open position of Senior Supervising Attorney, a newly created role here at the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee.
Today, Session 1 of a 4 part conference series offered by MHLAC & Social Law, "ATTORNEY’S DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE & ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS WHEN REPRESENTING A CLIENT LIVING WITH A DISABILITY," is being held virtually. If you miss this one, you can still register for the upcoming sessions on Jan 21, 26 and Feb 2, 2021. Go … Continue reading TODAY | Session 1 of MHLAC & Social Law’s Accessible Justice conference
This four-part conference will discuss ways to make our justice system—from client counseling to litigation—accessible to individuals living with psychiatric, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities. DATES: January 12th, 21st, 26th and February 2nd (all 4 sessions will be held from 2-3:30 pm via online webinar format only) PROGRAM FEE: $35 per session OR special discount price of $100 … Continue reading Register Now | Social Law and MHLAC present ACCESSIBLE JUSTICE: Representing Clients Living with Psychiatric, Intellectual, and/or Developmental Disabilities
Massachusetts Advocates for Children, The EdLaw Project and MHLAC are all working to support students during COVID-19. Please contact us if your child or a student you know is disciplined for behavior due to disability, trauma or other stressors.
MHLAC staff members are shocked and distressed at the sudden passing of the leader of the Judicial branch of which we are a part. Chief Justice Gants was a brilliant and courageous jurist with an encompassing sense of duty toward those for whom justice is an unrealized promise. His position on the bench did not … Continue reading Tribute | Chief Justice Ralph Gants
Black lives matter. MHLAC stands in solidarity with those protesting the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others killed by white supremacy. Further, we state our complete abhorrence of the Trump administration’s response: sending federal agents in unmarked vehicles to arrest protestors over the strenuous objection of local governments. The recent report on the racial disparities … Continue reading MHLAC’s recommitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice
The work of MHLAC's Matt Cregor along with Citizens for Juvenile Justice and Strategies for Youth is highlighted in recent media segments. https://www.wbur.org/edify/2020/09/18/police-schools-arrest-reports-mass https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/districts-coming-up-short-on-reporting-school-based-arrests/ https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/boston-public-schools-approves-new-policy-sharing-student-information-with-law-enforcement/2QNTNWZ4RFEMXEAYECBV6OK3F4/
MHLAC Staff Attorney, Robert Hernandez, was quoted in recent Lawyers Weekly article highlighting the settlement reached in a discrimination lawsuit involving a latino parent group, Holyoke Public Schools and the State of Massachusetts.
See press release for information about MHLAC's recently filed complaint and preliminary injunction on behalf of patients needlessly confined at Tewksbury Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen here to Thursday's hearing scheduled for 2:00 pm.
See press release (Spanish) announcing the recent settlement agreement MHLAC and its legal partners reached to improve school communications and notice for parents with limited english proficiency and students at Holyoke Public Schools. "Under the settlement agreement, Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) is implementing detailed principles and procedures for providing interpretation and translation services to LEP … Continue reading Press release | Latino Parent Group, Holyoke Public Schools and State Reach Settlement in Discrimination Lawsuit
Read Attorney Jennifer Honig's article (full length) recently published as a blog post on NAMI's (National Alliance on Mental Illness) website. The article describes steps public officials can take such as: ensuring appropriate medications are available, establishing external oversight, managing medical contracts carefully, and offering specific instruction on what care should look like to assist … Continue reading New | Article written by Senior Attorney Jennifer Honig | “How Public Officials Can Protect the Rights of Prisoners with Mental Illness”
YOUR STORY CAN HELP STOP SICKNESS AND DEATH OF PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSES COVID-19 is dangerous. It’s particularly dangerous to people with psychiatric diagnoses, who are objects of medical discrimination and last to be considered when setting policy. People living in psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and psychiatric units of nursing homes and rehabilitation centers are at … Continue reading We want to hear from you! | Important Survey
Recent WGBH Article highlighting the dangers prisoners are experiencing during the COVID health emergency. “The lockdown threatens prisoners’ lives,’’ advocates wrote in the missive signed by members of Disability Law Center, the Center for Public Representation and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, among others.
Letter to the Boston Globe written by MHLAC's Executive Director, Phillip Kassel in response to recent piece by Yvonne Abraham, "Pandemic in our prisons," which describes the spreading of COVID-19 among prisons in Massachusetts. Kassel describes the cruel treatment in store for imprisoned people even if they don’t get sick and advocates furlough or release … Continue reading Media | Letter to the Boston Globe by MHLAC Executive Director, Phillip Kassel
https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2020/04/16/mental-health-advocacy-groups-launch-investigation-of-lemuel-shattuck-hospital-after-rapid-spread-of-covid-19-cases
MHLAC, the Disability Law Center (DLC) and Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) wrote a resource pamphlet on Your Rights as They Pertain to COVID-19’s Effects on DMH and DDS Facilities in Massachusetts. Word version of Your Rights - COVID Your Rights - COVID
See MHLAC's Telehealth COVID-19 Flyer. Also available in Spanish.
MHLAC has begun posting links we think our clients and colleagues will find useful during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) health emergency on our facebook page. They will also be posted in this Blog which will be updated regularly.
See the letter MHLAC sent last week to Governor Baker describing concerns for incarcerated individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The impact and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop. As of today, MHLAC remains operational. The following are links you may find useful to review: For mental health support during COVID19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/coping.html For information and resources on preparing your household for COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html For Massachusetts specific guidance: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-guidance-and-recommendations
Updated: 3.11.2020 | Open position has been filled MHLAC is hiring! If you or someone you know is interested in joining MHLAC as a Staff Attorney, we're accepting submissions (cover letter & resume) through January 24, 2020. Email to hiring@mhlac.org or Mail to ATTN: Hiring Committee, MHLAC, 24 School Street, Suite 804, Boston, MA 02108. Please, … Continue reading (closed) Hiring update | MHLAC is hiring!
The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) is hiring an attorney to help pursue the Agency’s mission to defend the rights of persons with mental health concerns. We seek persons with a demonstrated commitment to social justice through legal advocacy and the skills to do high quality work toward this end. Experience in developing and … Continue reading (closed) Hiring announcement – Attorney position opening
November 14, 2019, MHLAC will be hosting a full-day conference event. TAKING THE "CRIMINAL" OUT OF "CRIMINAL JUSTICE": A look at people with mental health needs in Massachusetts after the Criminal Justice Reform Act REGISTER HERE See program agenda and details on our trainings page
MHLAC is hiring! We are excited to announce that we have 2 open positions. We are hiring for an Office Manager and a Paralegal. Go to http://mhlac.org/employment-opportunities/ for details.
Did you know that disability insurers in Massachusetts can legally pay wage replacement benefits to employees with mental health disabilities for a vastly shorter period of time than to those with physical disabilities? Insurers typically pay no or 1-3 years of benefits to employees with psychiatric disabilities, while people with physical disabilities receive benefits until … Continue reading Call to Action | How you can help!
The videos of the 2-day conference at Harvard Law School sponsored by the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice are now available to view at
Check it out here.
Have you or someone you know ever experienced medical symptoms that were not taken seriously because the doctor knew about your psychiatric history? Were you denied care for a physical problem because staff told you “it was all in your head”? If so, please let MHLAC know so that we can learn more about the … Continue reading WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! | We are looking for reports of people with lived experience being denied care for physical problems because of your mental health history!
Watch former MHLAC Senior Attorney, Miriam Ruttenberg talk about student arrests at school on Channel 5 Investigates
testimony
Testimony submitted by Jennifer Honig and Phillip Kassel of MHLAC and Robert Flesichner of the Center of Public Representation
See Lauren Roy, mentioned in Pulse of Longwood's article on mental health patients' rights to access fresh air while in the hospital.
See Phil Kassel quoted in a Patriot Ledger article by Chris Burrell about staff safety concerns at a psychiatric hospital in Pembroke.
Testimony of Phillip Kassel for the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee to the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Informational Hearing held May 28, 2015
See our February 5, 2015 Fresh Air Press Release . Go to https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter476 for the law's language.
See Jennifer Honig's article about the involuntary committment of women with substance use issues appearing in Boston Bar Journal's Winter edition.
See Susan Fendell appearing on a episode of the Disability Law Center's Disability Connection discussing the sharing of electronic medical records of psychiatric patients.
See February 10, 2014 letter appearing in the Boston Globe by Phil Kassel, Miriam Ruttenber and colleague Dan Losen on student arrests.
Testimony submitted January 28, 2014, to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding proposed regulations implementing C. 222. MHLAC also participated in the drafting and submission of public comments as part of the Education Law Task Force.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES ON OUR LEGISLATIVE WORK HERE Several legislative bills that would greatly benefit people with mental health conditions are close to advancing in the legislature, and MHLAC needs you to act. It will only take a few minutes. Please read below to see how you can help! S.1238/H.3602 An … Continue reading Take Action | Legislative Update and Call to Action
Join us at the State House on January 23rd at 11:00 in the House Member’s Lounge. We will start the day hearing from speakers involved with the peer respite movement and legislators will have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions. We will then move into the afternoon when we will break out into small groups (or solo if … Continue reading Peer Respite Advocacy Day | January 23rd