FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Who should consider applying? Attorneys interested in solo or small firm practices and in serving, in part, modest means clients should consider applying.  Applicants must be members of the Massachusetts bar in good standing.  They must also incorporate as Professional Corporations or comparable entities (a one-time, approximate $500 expense), carry their own malpractice insurance, and pay a modest annual membership fee to help defray the program’s expenses.  Preference is given to graduates of the University of Massachusetts School of Law.

2. What are the benefits of membership? Participants in the incubator receive shared, furnished office space in Boston or New Bedford, referrals of legal business, counseling from a network of over 80 experienced mentors, free bar memberships, deep discounts from vendors, practical business skills training, use of a website and developing tech platforms.  The program tracks and monitors data on representation to determine the most efficient techniques for serving clients within their budgets.

3. What is the term for participation?  Participants commit to a term of eighteen months to two years and may be permitted to participate as associate members at a reduced fee thereafter.

4. What are the monthly membership fees? After a three-month grace period, the annual membership fees for participants in the program is $500.

5. Who are the clients? Justice Bridge has developed a business niche among existing legal service providers and bar associations.  Clients will generally have an annual income of 250-300% of the Federal poverty guidelines (approximately $70,000 for a family of four).  At the start of your legal career, we generally expect these clients to pay consultation fees, modest retainer fees and a scaled average of $75 to $125 per hour for legal services.

6. What areas of law will be practiced?  Members will represent clients in a wide variety of civil matters, including: family law, housing, probate, employment, consumer law, claim benefits, and immigration law.  The incubator will generally not refer criminal or contingent fee cases.

7. May members handle their own cases while participating in the incubator?  Yes, members are encouraged to develop their own caseload from the start while also accepting legal work from the incubator.  Experienced mentors train members to utilize technology and efficiency techniques for developing profitable, rewarding practices on their own.

8. May members participate at both locations? Yes, trainings and in-residence mentors will be available in both Boston and New Bedford.  Members may be referred cases from both locations as well as receiving discounts from software vendors, tech partners/platforms and local bar associations.