While individuals accused of crimes have the right to an attorney, those living in deep poverty often cannot afford legal help to meet  basic human needs for health, safety and housing. The legal system is often the only way, for instance, to fight illegal eviction, obtain restraining orders against abusive spouses or ensure that health care rights are obtained.

Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation Executive Director Lonnie Powers joins a broad array of judges and lawyers with expertise in civil legal services, as part of the Boston Bar Association’s newly formed Task Force on Civil Right to Counsel. Often termed "Civil Gideon", the concept of a right to counsel for civil cases has been endorsed by many members of the legal community. The Task Force will now focus on ways this could be implemented in Massachusetts.