In courtrooms, classrooms, and communities across Western Massachusetts, Western New England University School of Law’s Center for Social Justice is helping individuals navigate some of their most difficult financial and legal challenges—while preparing the next generation of attorneys to do the same.
Through its Consumer Debt Initiative (CDI), the Center provides free legal services to individuals facing debt collection and related financial issues—an area where access to representation is often limited, particularly for low-income and underserved populations.
At the same time, the work serves as a powerful learning model for WNE Law students, who gain hands-on experience representing clients, conducting legal research, and advocating for meaningful outcomes.
Real Impact, Right Here in the Community
The need is significant. Hampden County continues to see disproportionately high rates of debt collection activity, often affecting those with the fewest resources to respond.
The Center’s work is designed to meet that need directly:
• Legal representation for individuals facing debt-related cases
• Financial literacy and “know-your-rights” workshops
• Advocacy and research aimed at addressing systemic drivers of financial instability
In the past year alone, the initiative:
• Served 728 clients
• Helped reduce $891,081 in consumer debt
• Provided experiential learning opportunities for over 20 law students
These outcomes reflect more than numbers—they represent families stabilized, financial burdens reduced, and pathways to opportunity restored.
“Economic justice is at the core of the Center’s work,” said Zachary Bleckner, director of the Center for Social Justice. “Many of our clients’ cases reflect the broader affordability crisis. By providing compassionate, high-quality legal assistance at a critical moment—when they might otherwise face the system alone—we help build long-term financial resilience. That same work creates a unique environment for students to develop client-centered lawyering skills.”
Learning by Doing
For students, the experience is immersive and immediate.
Through externships, internships, and pro bono opportunities, WNE Law students work directly with clients—developing critical legal skills while seeing firsthand the human impact of their work.
It’s a model that reinforces the University’s approach to legal education: combining academic rigor with practical experience to prepare graduates who are ready to lead and serve from day one.
That commitment to community engagement will be on display this spring as WNE Law students present “Legacies of Freedom: Civil Rights Advocacy in Action” at Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke. The public program will feature student-led discussions on civil rights, constitutional law, and civic participation—extending the Center’s impact beyond the courtroom and into the broader community.
A Model Sustained by Partnership
The Center’s ability to deliver this level of impact is made possible through sustained community investment—including continued support from the MassMutual Foundation, which has funded the Center since its founding in 2019.
A recently renewed $1.08 million, three-year commitment ensures that the work of the CDI can continue to grow—supporting both expanded services and enhanced student learning opportunities.
Looking Ahead
With continued support, the Center for Social Justice is positioned to deepen its reach—serving more clients, expanding community education, and strengthening its role as a leader in access-to-justice work in the region.
That growth includes expanding initiatives like the Center’s CORI Sealing & Expungement Project, which helps eligible community members file petitions to seal or expunge their criminal records—reducing barriers to employment, housing, and long-term stability. Through clinics held both on campus and in the community, the Center is working to reach individuals who may otherwise lack access to legal assistance.
The need remains significant: while hundreds of thousands of people in Massachusetts are eligible to have their CORIs sealed, only about 10% have done so—underscoring a critical gap the Center is helping to address.
At its core, the mission remains clear: to use the law as a tool for empowerment—while preparing students to carry that mission forward.
