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MBA Immediate Past President Christoper P. Sullivan

The Massachusetts Bar Association will honor Immediate Past President Christopher P. Sullivan with the MBA President’s Award at the 2019 Annual Dinner on May 9. The President's Award is bestowed upon those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the work of the MBA, to the preservation of MBA values, to the success of MBA initiatives, and to the promotion of the MBA leadership role within the legal community of Massachusetts.
 
A partner at Robins Kaplan LLP in Boston, Sullivan will be honored for his many contributions to the MBA and the state’s legal community. For example, Sullivan played a major role in raising $57,000 to address the humanitarian crisis that has gripped Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria made landfall in 2017. To coincide with last fall’s Boston run of “Hamilton,” Sullivan spearheaded an ambitious fundraising campaign whose proceeds will support nonprofit organizations providing civil legal services to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and Massachusetts. The months-long fundraiser was a joint effort between the MBA and its philanthropic partner, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (MBF), along with the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys. 
 
“Chris has shown tireless dedication to the MBA throughout his professional life, and he has brought the same level of commitment and enthusiasm to his role as past president,” said MBA President Christopher A. Kenney. “With the Hamilton fundraiser, Chris found an innovative way for our lawyers to offer their assistance during a period of great hardship for the people of Puerto Rico. His leadership on this initiative and countless others makes him a most deserving candidate of the MBA President’s Award.”
 
As president during the 2017-18 association year, Sullivan furthered the MBA’s position as a leading advocate for the rule of law, and the full funding of court and civil legal services. Working with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Sullivan organized a statewide conference on how to establish “Lawyer for the Day” programs in the Housing Court. Under Sullivan’s leadership, the MBA also launched an entirely redesigned website and completed facility improvements to the newly modernized first-floor lobby area at 20 West St.
 
Sullivan has held additional senior positions as chair of the MBA’s Membership Committee, and as a member of the MBA’s Executive Management Board and House of Delegates. Notably, in 2014, Sullivan collaborated with the MBA and the Federal Bar Association (FBA) to establish the Massachusetts chapter of SOLACE (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel – All Concern Encouraged), an email-based network of legal professionals who assist their fellow lawyers in times of need.
 
A prominent volunteer leader within the state and federal bar, Sullivan previously served the FBA as president of its Massachusetts Chapter and as vice president for the First Circuit. Sullivan is a Life Fellow of the MBF and has earned the same distinction from the American Bar Foundation and the Foundation of the FBA, two research-driven organizations committed to advancing the administration of justice. 
 
In his daily practice at Robins Kaplan, Sullivan represents clients in civil trials involving complex litigation matters, including financial and securities cases and intellectual property disputes. Sullivan’s strong record in trial practice has led to his selection as a Massachusetts or New England Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers since 2004.
 
An undergraduate alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Sullivan currently sits on the executive board of the Holy Cross Lawyers Association. He remains equally involved at his law school alma matter, Fordham University in New York, where he has served as New England Chapter vice president of the Alumni Association. 

The MBA Annual Dinner will also include the presentation of the MBA's Chief Justice Edward F. Hennessey Award to U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman; the 2019 Legislator of the Year Award to State Rep. Christopher M. Markey (D-Dartmouth); the 2019 Access to Justice Awards; the Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Scholarship; and more. Nationally renowned trial attorney, professor and DNA-evidence pioneer Barry C. Scheck will deliver the keynote. 

Consider attending this annual event as a sponsor. Click here for a sponsorship form. Opportunities include:

• Champions of Justice ($10,000)
  Up to two tables for 10, full page ad in dinner program, firm name/logo projected at the dinner and featured on MBA website, additional prominent recognition at the dinner

• Platinum Sponsor ($5,000)
  Table for 10, full page ad in dinner program, firm name/logo projected at the dinner and featured on MBA website

• Gold Sponsor ($3,500)
  Table for 10, 1/2 page ad in dinner program, firm name/logo projected at the dinner and featured on MBA website

• Silver Sponsor ($2,500)
  Table for 10, 1/4 page ad in dinner program, firm name/logo projected at the dinner