ATASK pro bono attorney helps Massachusetts domestic violence survivors

Chinese-speaking family law attorney James Z. Collins has been representing domestic violence survivors through a pro bono partnership with the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence since 2026. His work spans divorce, custody and annulment cases for clients across Massachusetts, with a focus on helping immigrant survivors navigate language and legal barriers.

Why it matters: - Domestic violence survivors often face extra barriers in family court, including language access problems, cultural pressure and fear of retaliation. - Collins’ work with ATASK gives Chinese-speaking survivors legal help in divorce, custody and annulment cases across Massachusetts. - The representation can affect child reunification, property division and whether survivors remain tied to former abusers through litigation.

What happened: - James Z. Collins has represented domestic violence survivors through a pro bono partnership with the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence since 2026. - Collins is a Chinese-speaking family law attorney and founder of JZ Collins Law. - His ATASK matters include divorce, custody and annulment cases for survivors across Massachusetts. - Collins built on earlier pro bono work with Kids in Need of Support and Catholic Charities of America. - In one recent case, Collins defended an ATASK client against an annulment lawsuit filed by her former abuser. - ATASK and the client characterized that lawsuit as a continuation of harassment after she left the relationship. - Collins successfully defeated the claim, allowing the client to move forward without further legal entanglement with her former partner.

The details: - Collins has also helped ATASK clients reunite with children after periods of separation. - Collins has negotiated favorable property divisions for survivors rebuilding their finances. - Collins said he hopes the work with ATASK helps victims feel more secure and gives them a sense of agency as they confront the U.S. legal system. - Collins said his successes came from the support of his family, friends and community, and that he believes he should give back. - The ATASK partnership is part of a broader pro bono practice at JZ Collins Law. - Collins has advised local churches on tax matters. - Collins has represented children through Kids in Need of Support in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status proceedings. - Collins has guided more than a dozen nonprofit organizations through obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status.

Between the lines: - Collins’ Chinese-American background shapes how he approaches cases involving immigrant families and domestic violence survivors. - Domestic violence and coercive control can go overlooked in Asian communities. - Cultural expectations can keep victims silent, and language barriers can make it harder to seek help. - Collins’ path from transactional tax work to family law suggests a shift toward community-based legal support. - His prior work on large public and private market transactions contrasts with his current focus on family and nonprofit matters.

What's next: - JZ Collins Law is likely to continue serving Chinese-speaking clients across Massachusetts in divorce, custody, prenuptial agreements and business formation matters. - Collins is expected to keep combining family law practice with pro bono work for underserved communities. - The firm says its commitment to pro bono legal services will continue as part of its mission.

The bottom line: - Collins is using his bilingual family law practice to help domestic violence survivors in Massachusetts get through high-stakes legal battles with fewer barriers and more support.