What is the Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP)?
The Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) is part of the Office of the Bar Counsel of the Board of Bar Overseers. ACAP is a source of assistance to people with questions or problems with their Massachusetts lawyer. When someone calls the Office of the Bar Counsel with a grievance concerning a lawyer, a member of the ACAP staff will respond promptly to that inquiry and attempt to identify the problem. Many problems can be resolved by providing information, calling the lawyer, or suggesting alternative ways of dealing with the dispute. A complaint form will be sent immediately where serious unethical conduct may be involved. What can ACAP do? What follows are some typical problems and what ACAP will do to help: • “My lawyer will not return my telephone calls.” If the client wishes, ACAP will call the lawyer and ask the lawyer to contact the client. If the client does not wish ACAP to communicate with the lawyer, ACAP will make suggestions to the client for a self-help plan. • “
