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MBF honors Leo V. Boyle with 2013 Great Friend of Justice Award

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
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Photo Credit: Merrill Shea
MBF President Jerry Cohen (right) presents the 2013 Great Friend of Justice Award to Leo V. Boyle at the 2013 Annual Meeting.

At its recent annual meeting, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation honored Massachusetts Bar Association Past President Leo V. Boyle of Meehan, Boyle, Black & Bogdanow PC, with its Great Friend of Justice Award. This award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary passion for justice, consistent with the MBF's values and mission.

A standing ovation followed MBF President Jerry Cohen's introduction of Boyle.

"In addition to his tireless advocacy for injured clients, attorney Boyle's longstanding commitment and dedication to public service exemplify the ideals the MBF's Great Friend of Justice Award recognizes," Cohen said. "From his guidance of professional associations, including the Massachusetts Bar Association and the American Association for Justice, to his vision for the formation of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to his role as an original and long-term member of the Trial Court's Court Management Advisory Board, attorney Boyle has made significant contributions to the betterment of the nation, the legal community and countless individuals' lives."

In his stirring keynote address, Boyle spoke movingly of our justice system and commended the MBF and its grantees for ensuring equal access to it.

"It is so precious what we do . . . you have a judge, pristine and devoted to delivering complete, fair justice, to a fair fight between parties. And money doesn't matter, power doesn't matter, politics don't matter. Twelve people came in off the street and they declare the truth," he proclaimed.

But individuals need the legal profession to access this grand system, Boyle explained.

"The ring is fair and square and the playing field is even, but without the lawyer, they can't get in the ring . . . this foundation is devoted to bringing those resources to everyone, to the most disenfranchised and the most limited. How magnificent is that?"

Boyle also took the opportunity to thank his colleagues and credit them for much of his success, citing his mother's advice to surround oneself with good company.

"It never fails. If you're lucky enough to have around you these great people that I've had around me my whole professional life, what follows is complete joy in your life as a lawyer and the ability to deliver services and some measure of justice to people who have been harmed."