Access to Justice Newsletter
November 2011
MBA seeks 2011-12 Access to Justice Award nominations
The MBA is is seeking nominations for its 2011-12 Access to
Justice Awards.
The MBA annually recognizes the efforts of attorneys and law
firms who have made significant strides in enhancing access to
justice. To recognize an unsung hero of the legal profession, or a
law firm that has made a significant difference for low income
litigants interfacing with the justice system, please fill out the
form below and submit your nomination by 5:00 p.m. by Friday, Dec.
9, 2011 to:
Massachusetts Bar Association
Access to Justice Awards
20 West St., Boston, MA 02110
We encourage nominations from local and affiliated bar
associations, government agencies and/or legal services
organizations.
Click
here for a nomination form.
The Access to Justice Awards are:
Legal Services Award
An attorney employed by a public or nonprofit agency to provide
civil legal services to low-income clients, and who has made a
particularly significant or meaningful contribution to the
provision of low-income legal services, above and beyond the
requirements or his or her position.
Pro Bono Award for Law Firms
A law firm of two or more attorneys, with one or more offices in
the commonwealth, whose pro bono activities are particularly
noteworthy in relation to the firm's size and which has performed
significant or meaningful pro bono activity or which has been
particularly instrumental in developing, implementing and/or
supporting a pro bono program or pro bono services within
Massachusetts.
Pro Bono Publico Award
An individual who has been instrumental in developing,
implementing and supporting pro bono programs for the Massachusetts
Bar Association or for a local county bar association, or a pro
bono program of a law firm, or has developed a pro bono program
sponsored or organized through an agency in the commonwealth, or
has performed significant or meaningful pro bono activity.
Defender Award
An attorney who is employed or retained by a public or nonprofit
agency to provide criminal legal services to low-income clients,
and who has made a particularly significant or meaningful
contribution to the provision of low-income legal services above
and beyond the requirements of his or her position.
Prosecutor Award
A state or federal prosecutor who has distinguished himself or
herself in public service and whose commitment to justice and
serving the communities where he or she lives or works is
particularly praiseworthy.