Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, May. 26, 2011
Keynote speaker Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer talks about the importance of the U.S. Constitution.
Retiring U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Gertner accepts the MBA’s Hennessey Award from MBA President-elect Richard P. Campbell.
MBA Past President Leo V. Boyle (left) presents the MBA’s Gold Medal award to Foley Hoag’s Michael B. Keating (right).
The MBA honored the late Richard G. Mintz of Mintz Levin with a posthumous centennial award. R. Robert Popeo (left), chairman of Mintz Levin, accepts the centennial award on behalf of Mintz from MBA Vice President Douglas K. Sheff.
Photos by Christine Peterson.
Justice Breyer wishes MBA “happy birthday” at May 19 Centennial Ball
Judge Gertner, Keating and Mintz receive awards as part of centennial celebration
In his keynote speech at the Massachusetts Bar Association's
Centennial Ball, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer
celebrated the crucial role that lawyers plays in shaping laws,
fighting for the judiciary and educating and mentoring
students.
MBA President Denise Squillante welcomed an audience of
nearly 1,000 people in the Sheraton Boston ballroom for the
Centennial Ball. Breyer's keynote address on May 19 was the
highlight of the two-day Centennial Conference.
"It isn't surprising to me that the Massachusetts Bar
Association holds the position of respect that it does," he said.
Looking back to the start of the MBA, Breyer noted, "This
organization was founded by Holmes and Brandeis. And it was
racially integrated from the start."
He rattled off a number of the association's historical
responsibilities - including public service, defending the
judiciary and nurturing students' civic knowledge - noting that a
century later, it's "the same job, but tougher now."
Breyer said he was impressed by the turnout, saying that seeing
so many lawyers turn out reflects well on the profession and the
important work lawyers are called upon to do, particularly in terms
of public service.
He ended on a rousing note in honor of the event's milestone:
"The only five words I really want to say are 'happy birthday,
Massachusetts Bar Association!'"
On the occasion of its 100th anniversary celebration, the MBA
also honored a number of legal professionals for their
contributions at this year's Centennial Ball. Awardees
included:
- MBA Chief Justice Edward F. Hennessey
Award
U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Gertner
- MBA Gold Medal Award
Attorney Michael B. Keating, Foley Hoag
- Posthumous MBA Centennial Award
The late Attorney Richard G. Mintz, Mintz Levin
Click here to
view photos from the May 19 Centennial Ball and
Reception.
Look in the June issue of Lawyers Journal for full
coverage of the commemorative events.