The Massachusetts Bar Association annually recognizes the
efforts of attorneys and law firms that have made significant
strides in enhancing access to justice.
To nominate a fellow colleague by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, submit your form
to Massachusetts Bar Association, Access to Justice Awards, 20 West
St., Boston, MA 02110. We encourage nominations
from local/affiliated bar associations, government agencies and
legal services organizations.
Award categories include:
PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARD
This award is given to an individual who has been instrumental
in developing, implementing and supporting pro bono programs for
the MBA, 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
This award is given to 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.
LEGAL SERVICES AWARD
This award is given to 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 of his or her position.
PRO BONO AWARD FOR LAW FIRMS
This award is given to a law firm, comprised 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 activities or has been particularly instrumental in
developing, implementing and/or supporting a pro bono program or
pro bono service within Massachusetts.
PROSECUTOR AWARD
This award is given to 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.
RISING STAR AWARD
An attorney employed by a legal services organization, a public
defender organization, or a state or federal prosecutor's office,
or an attorney who has engaged in significant pro bono activities,
who has been a practicing attorney for seven years or less, who has
distinguished herself or himself by a particular accomplishment or
body of work that has made a significant and meaningful
contribution to access to justice to an underserved population
within the commonwealth of Massachusetts.