MLRI: eLearning Transformation for Legal Volunteers

Challenge

Transforming limited face-to-face training into scalable, strategic volunteer preparation

In Massachusetts, Lawyer for the Day programs consist of volunteer lawyers providing basic legal advice on housing law (evictions) to both landlords and tenants. Training was an ongoing need across the state for existing LFD programs as new volunteers joined, plus newly emerging LFD programs needed comprehensive training solutions.

The real challenge wasn’t just providing training—it was that all current LFD training took place as face-to-face sessions, severely limiting reach and forcing instructors to cover fundamental concepts alongside practical skills. This time constraint consistently reduced sessions to purely tactical instruction, missing critical strategic development opportunities that volunteers desperately needed.

The training was superb. The best online legal training I’ve ever seen. Clear. Comprehensive. The pop quizzes were invaluable. Terrific piece of work!

Learn more about our Course Conversion services and how Blended Learning can transform your training into a full-on learning experience.

Solution

Interactive components anchor new eviction law training program

From tactical limitations to strategic excellence: a collaborative transformation

The core problem was that limited face-to-face training time was being spent on fundamentals, leaving no room for strategic development. Our collaborative sessions with MLRI identified the need to offload foundational knowledge so live sessions could be more impactful.

The solution was an innovative blended learning approach. We created a comprehensive online primer built around an interactive timeline of the eviction process. This allowed volunteers to master the basics on their own time, completely freeing up the valuable in-person sessions to focus on sophisticated legal strategies, complex case analysis, and nuanced decision-making.

Approach

ThinkingKap created a foundation of key terms and procedures through pre-training primer

Here’s how our collaborative design process revolutionized tactical training into strategic education excellence:

Because the eviction process is heavily step-based and time-dependent, we used an interactive timeline as the central focus of the training.

Interactive calendars outlined various steps in the eviction process and provided context to the timing of each milestone.

We provided multiple opportunities for learners to explore various forms required, educating them on how to complete and where they fit in the process.

Realistic scenarios gave learners a glimpse into what volunteering was like and tested their understanding of eviction law.

Impact

Strategic training transformation creates operational excellence

Key learner outcomes

Shifted from tactical training to strategic focus in live sessions
Created foundational knowledge through pre-training primer
Increased overall training effectiveness through blended learning approach
Expanded reach to new audiences via online format
Enabled scalable training for law students and new housing attorneys

Our partnership approach translated directly into training effectiveness that exceeded all expectations

Previously, face-to-face sessions required covering fundamental concepts alongside practical skills, consistently reducing training to purely tactical instruction that left volunteers underprepared for complex situations. The strategic online primer completely freed up in-person time to focus on sophisticated legal strategies, case analysis, and nuanced decision-making, making the entire experience dramatically more effective.

This freed up time for the in-person training to focus on strategic issues, making the entire experience much more effective. This outcome was a direct result of the collaborative design process. The client at MLRI noted that ThinkingKap always treated them as a partner and spurred them to think critically about their goals, guiding them towards a better product.

The Strategic Difference: This wasn’t just about creating an online course; it was about transforming the value of in-person time. Our online primer freed live sessions from covering the basics. This strategic shift allowed instructors to focus on sophisticated legal strategy, revolutionizing the program’s effectiveness.

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