Legal Aid Advocate
(Arkansas, Massachusetts)
Executive Director of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) since it was established in 1983. Began his legal career in his native Arkansas.
Links: HuffPo bio | MLAC bio | (Current as of: October 13, 2014)
Huffington Post
November 29, 2017
Civil legal aidis a potent tool to assist vulnerable seniors in securing proper health care and housing, to protect them from physical abuse and financial exploitation, and to get access to other benefits and services to help keep them solvent.
Blog Post
November 9, 2016
Civil legal aid-free legal assistance or representation for low-income individuals facing non-criminal legal issues-has been an integral part of ensuring our veterans have safe, stable housing.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
September 23, 2016
Funding woes stem in large part from a lack of public knowledge about civil legal aid, despite broad support for the ideals of fairness and justice.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
June 1, 2016
Civil legal aid organizations have long demonstrated expertise in identifying and rectifying the environmental factors that adversely impact the health and safety of vulnerable and underserved communities.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
December 2, 2015
As our country moves toward reversing decades of overly harsh sentences for non-violent crimes and mandatory "three strikes" life sentences, criminal justice reform packages must also incorporate civil legal aid for those newly released from prison.
Op-Ed
WGBH News (MA)
October 8, 2015
If we are serious about ending the scourge of domestic violence in this country, as we should be, we must use every tool at our disposal. And the numbers speak for themselves: it’s hard to find a more effective tool than civil legal aid.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
August 11, 2015
Policies to change gender discrimination in pay matter. They won't be as effective though without strong enforcement. Civil legal aid provides just that.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
April 17, 2014
When it comes to domestic violence victims who are living in poverty, access to legal services is proven to prevent further violence and save lives argues Lonnie Powers.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
August 5, 2014
Fewer people are reaching out to people different from themselves. Lonnie Powers makes the case for learning from people with different backgrounds and experiences.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
July 11, 2014
This blog post details the way technology and self-help centers are helping expand access to justice.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
May 22, 2014
Language access is crucial explains Lonnie Powers, as many people with limited English skills struggle to navigate the justice system.
Blog Post
Huffington Post
January 28, 2014
Investing in civil legal aid is not only instrumental in providing equal access to justice, it's also makes economic sense.
Blog Post
TalkPoverty.org
January 27, 2015
In this TalkPoverty.org post, Lonnie Powers of Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation makes a powerful case for how #LegalAid makes economic sense while at the same time reducing #poverty. The piece includes some excellent links and important historical references.
Letter to Editor
Boston Globe
January 26, 2015
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation Executive Director Lonnie Powers writes letter to the editor responding to a recent Boston Globe editorial.
Associated Grant Makers (AGM) (Boston)
December 16, 2014
Strategic communications for social change for the civil legal aid community in Massachusetts.
Executive Director of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) since it was established in 1983. Began his legal career in his native Arkansas.
Links: HuffPo bio | MLAC bio | (Current as of: October 13, 2014)
Lonnie A. Powers has served as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) since it was established in 1983. He has more than 41 years of policy and legal experience at the state and national levels, having devoted the majority of his career to establishing, building, sustaining and revitalizing legal aid organizations. Lonnie began his legal career in his native Arkansas, first with the Attorney General’s Office and later with Legal Services of Arkansas, where he served as Executive Director.
CONTENT BY THIS PERSON
Blog PostHow civil legal aid assists older adults
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
November 29, 2017
Civil legal aidis a potent tool to assist vulnerable seniors in securing proper health care and housing, to protect them from physical abuse and financial exploitation, and to get access to other benefits and services to help keep them solvent.
Blog Post
Civil legal aid can help veterans struggling with homelessness
Lonnie A. PowersNovember 9, 2016
Civil legal aid-free legal assistance or representation for low-income individuals facing non-criminal legal issues-has been an integral part of ensuring our veterans have safe, stable housing.
Blog Post
Want Justice? Don’t Be Shy—Grab the Spotlight
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
September 23, 2016
Funding woes stem in large part from a lack of public knowledge about civil legal aid, despite broad support for the ideals of fairness and justice.
Blog Post
When Legal Assistance Can Improve Health
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
June 1, 2016
Civil legal aid organizations have long demonstrated expertise in identifying and rectifying the environmental factors that adversely impact the health and safety of vulnerable and underserved communities.
Blog Post
Criminal Justice Reform Must Include Civil Legal Aid
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
December 2, 2015
As our country moves toward reversing decades of overly harsh sentences for non-violent crimes and mandatory "three strikes" life sentences, criminal justice reform packages must also incorporate civil legal aid for those newly released from prison.
Op-Ed
A Secret Weapon In Fighting Domestic Violence
Lonnie A. PowersWGBH News (MA)
October 8, 2015
If we are serious about ending the scourge of domestic violence in this country, as we should be, we must use every tool at our disposal. And the numbers speak for themselves: it’s hard to find a more effective tool than civil legal aid.
Blog Post
Employing Civil Legal Aid in Closing the Wage Gap
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
August 11, 2015
Policies to change gender discrimination in pay matter. They won't be as effective though without strong enforcement. Civil legal aid provides just that.
Blog Post
Civil Legal Aid Is a Potential Tool in Helping Victims of Partner Violence
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
April 17, 2014
When it comes to domestic violence victims who are living in poverty, access to legal services is proven to prevent further violence and save lives argues Lonnie Powers.
Blog Post
Make a Difference by Reaching Out
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
August 5, 2014
Fewer people are reaching out to people different from themselves. Lonnie Powers makes the case for learning from people with different backgrounds and experiences.
Blog Post
Closing the ‘Justice Gap’
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
July 11, 2014
This blog post details the way technology and self-help centers are helping expand access to justice.
Blog Post
Language Access Projects Crucial to Making Legal Services Accessible
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
May 22, 2014
Language access is crucial explains Lonnie Powers, as many people with limited English skills struggle to navigate the justice system.
Blog Post
When Talking About Civil Legal Aid, Don’t Forget Its ROI
Lonnie A. PowersHuffington Post
January 28, 2014
Investing in civil legal aid is not only instrumental in providing equal access to justice, it's also makes economic sense.
Blog Post
Civil legal assistance saves money and helps people escape poverty
Lonnie A. PowersTalkPoverty.org
January 27, 2015
In this TalkPoverty.org post, Lonnie Powers of Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation makes a powerful case for how #LegalAid makes economic sense while at the same time reducing #poverty. The piece includes some excellent links and important historical references.
Letter to Editor
No way around need for more state funding
Lonnie A. PowersBoston Globe
January 26, 2015
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation Executive Director Lonnie Powers writes letter to the editor responding to a recent Boston Globe editorial.
Communication Matters
Lonnie A. PowersAssociated Grant Makers (AGM) (Boston)
December 16, 2014
Strategic communications for social change for the civil legal aid community in Massachusetts.
This page last modified: Wed, April 22, 2015 -- 5:44 am ET