Community
Our Community Mission
Service Is How We Practice
At the Law Offices of Nicole James, community isn’t a program—it’s part of how we work. We prepare meals for neighbors in need, provide pro bono legal protection for vulnerable members of our community, and partner with organizations doing the hardest, quietest work for the people around us.
What We Do
Different Ways We Show Up. Same Commitment.
We believe the way a firm serves its community says everything about how it serves its clients. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Fighting Food Insecurity
Through our Rotary partnership, our team prepares home‑cooked meals and delivers them to Bristol Lodge in Waltham—a long‑standing meal program serving neighbors experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
We also support the Greater Boston Food Bank year‑round. In place of traditional birthday cards, we make a donation in each client’s name—turning a simple gesture into 10 meals for people in need across the Boston area.
Pro Bono Legal Work
Giving back is central to our culture. We dedicate a portion of our time to providing pro bono estate planning services for select members of our community—practical tools like Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Caregiver Authorization Affidavits, and wills.
Community Sponsorships & Partnerships
We sponsor and support organizations that strengthen our community—from schools and youth‑focused nonprofits to groups like Voices Rising, a local chorus building community through song, where our firm is a 2026 Diamond Sponsor. We look for partners that share our values of compassion, accountability, and a long‑term commitment to the people and places around us.
Pro Bono Legal Services
Using Our Legal Skills to Give Back
Giving back is central to our culture, and that includes our legal work. We dedicate a portion of our time and resources to providing pro bono legal services for select members of our community. While estate planning is the most common area where we contribute, our pro bono work has extended into other areas of need as well—always with the same care and attention we bring to every client relationship.
Peace of Mind
Family Security
Dignity
Protection
Independence
Someone in Your Corner
Stability
Clarity
A Voice When It Matters
Family Unity
Not Facing It Alone
Client Partner Spotlight
Our Clients, Our Community Partners
Many of our clients are doing extraordinary work in their own communities. We stand beside them—not only as counsel, but as advocates who help tell their story.
Regan Care Partners' Home & Healthcare
Featured Partner
Founded in 2015 by sisters Christina and Regan on the South Coast of Massachusetts. They grew up in a home that welcomed foster siblings and cared for elderly relatives—an experience that shaped everything.
After twenty years in hospitality, they returned home to study nursing and hospice care, embracing the Eden Alternative philosophy. From that work came “Westview” in Fairhaven—a multigenerational home where elders live in a family setting with private rooms and a warm welcome for loved ones and companion animals.
“Human beings do not care because we love; we love because we care.”
If your organization’s mission aligns with our focus on children and families and you’re interested in being featured, we’d be honored to tell your story.
Reach out to us.
The Shirley James Foundation for Children & Families, Inc.
Advocacy, Education & Systemic Change
The Shirley James Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides comprehensive advocacy and support for children and families navigating complex legal and social systems. We champion every child’s right to safety, education, healthcare, and family unity.
Our mission is to empower families through legal education, representation, and resources—focusing on the real‑world barriers families face when trying to access services, protect their children, or keep their families together.
In partnership with community organizations, we identify and confront systemic barriers, creating lasting change through policy advocacy, research, and programs that strengthen family bonds and protect children’s fundamental rights.
Foundation + Firm
How Our Foundation and Firm Work Together
Our firm supports the Foundation through governance, financial resources, volunteer service, and aligned pro bono representation. Together, this allows us to:
01
Pair Support With Action
Financial resources and policy advocacy joined with hands‑on volunteering and direct legal work.
02
Meet Urgent & Systemic Needs
Financial resources and policy advocacy joined with hands‑on volunteering and direct legal work.
03
Engage at Every Level
Our team—and, where appropriate, our clients—participate in meaningful service from boardroom to kitchen.
Let's Build a Stronger Community Together
Whether you’re a family seeking support, a community organization exploring partnership, or someone who wants to learn more about our work—we’d love to hear from you.
Attorney Advertising. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each family’s situation is unique and requires personalized legal guidance. Viewing this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.