Top: From left: MBA President-elect Grace V.B. Garcia, Rising Star Award winner Kristyn M. Kelley of Peabody & Arnold, MassDLA President Marie E. Chafe and Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Serge Georges Jr.
Bottom: MBA President-elect Grace V.B. Garcia and her children.
Congratulations to Massachusetts Bar Association President-elect Grace V.B. Garcia, who was named MassDLA Defense Lawyer of the Year by the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association at the MassDLA Annual Meeting on June 3.
The award is chosen by the board of the MassDLA, which looks at the public perception of the candidate, as well as the candidate’s trial and defense experience, contribution to the legal community and the community at large, and contribution to MassDLA and its mission.
“Grace is a tremendous defense lawyer, and we’re thrilled that the MassDLA recognized her professional accomplishments,” said MBA President Thomas M. Bond. “She has been a valued member of our MBA officer team this past year, and we are proud of her for receiving this much-deserved award.”
MBA Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer Martin W. Healy also added his praise for Garcia, who will become president of the MBA on Sept. 1. “Grace has earned great respect in the legal community, especially here at the MBA, both as an accomplished defense lawyer and as a dedicated bar leader. We’re grateful to have her as a member of our leadership team and congratulate her on earning this prestigious honor.”
Garcia has more than 20 years of trial experience and has obtained successful outcomes on behalf of her clients in both state and federal court. She concentrates her practice in defending companies and businesses in product liability, construction, OSHA, commercial litigation, employment litigation, premises liability and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cases.
In addition to her Defense Lawyer of the Year Award, Garcia was inducted into Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's Top Women of Law Circle of Excellence in 2020, which recognizes women who continue to exemplify professional, civic and mentoring achievements year in and year out in the Massachusetts legal community and beyond. In 2013, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly selected her as one of the “Top Women of Law,” and, in 2019, 2020 and 2021, she was elected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America©.