Two dedicated attorneys from Community Legal Aid, a nonprofit organization delivering vital free legal assistance to over 9,000 low-income and elderly households across Central and Western Massachusetts annually, have received significant recognition for their contributions to the legal field. These accolades highlight their unwavering commitment to justice and community service.
Community Legal Aid Attorneys Earn Prestigious Recognition
The legal community has acknowledged the impactful work of two Springfield-based attorneys from Community Legal Aid. Christa Douaihy, coordinating attorney for the organization's Housing Unit, was distinguished by Mass. Lawyers Weekly as one of the "Top Women of Law" for 2025. Concurrently, Krista Ellis, a coordinating attorney within Community Legal Aid's Family Law Unit, was honored with the Emerging Women Leaders in the Law Award at the Women’s Bar Association's 2025 gala. Both attorneys primarily serve clients throughout Western Massachusetts.
Christa Douaihy: A Champion for Housing Justice
Christa Douaihy brought her extensive litigation experience to Community Legal Aid in 2022, having previously practiced in both New York and Massachusetts. Her career commenced in 2008 at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, where she passionately advocated for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities in complex cases spanning housing, employment, and family law. She further refined her legal acumen as a civil litigator and disability rights advocate, notably at The Bronx Defenders and in private practice.
Beyond her pivotal role as coordinating attorney for Community Legal Aid’s Fair Housing Unit, Douaihy extends her expertise to academia. She serves as an adjunct professor at Western New England School of Law, where she imparts knowledge on the "Access to Justice" course, shaping the next generation of legal professionals.
Krista Ellis Honored for Emerging Legal Leadership
Krista Ellis, an alumna of American University Washington College of Law, has been an integral part of Community Legal Aid’s Family Law Unit since 2019. Her dedication to family law and her clients has made a profound impact. This year's recognition from the Women's Bar Association underscores her rising influence and leadership within the legal sphere.
Ellis's commitment to professional development is further evidenced by her recent graduation from the Massachusetts Bar Association’s 2024-2025 Leadership Academy. This achievement signifies her ongoing pursuit of excellence and her potential to shape the future of legal practice in Massachusetts.
