The Legal Services Office was created in 1973 by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Graduate Student Senate (GSS), to provide "counseling, advice, representation and education to the student body of the University of Massachusetts Amherst concerning all legal matters". This was followed by legislation passed by the Massachusetts Legislature to specifically authorize the Trustees to establish and maintain a trust fund for student supported legal services.

From 1975 until 1986, the staff of the Legal Services Office consisted of four attorneys, two full-time professional support staff, legal assistants interns and law clerks. The office provided a wide range of legal services, including representation in both civil and criminal courts and in cases against the University of Massachusetts. This included litigation against the University and its employees.

In 1986, the Board of Trustees rescinded the authority of the office to represent students against the University and in criminal cases. Then, in 1987, the Trustees technically abolished the Legal Services Office, and established the Legal Services Center, with no litigation authority.

In 1993, as a result of lobbying efforts by student leaders, the Trustees voted to authorize limited litigation except in cases against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of its agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities, including the University, any municipality, or any employees, officers, trustees or agents of these entities who are acting in their official capacities. The program's name changed to the Student Legal Services Office. In 2000, the Trustees voted to extend limited litigation authority through 2010.