SJC seeks nominations for Pro Bono Publico Awards, submissions for Pro Bono Honor Roll
The Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services is seeking nominations for the 2022 Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards. Named for attorneys John Adams and John Quincy Adams, the Adams Awards honor Massachusetts lawyers, law students, law firms and legal organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to providing pro bono services for the benefit of individuals of limited means.
Service worthy of an Adams Award may include, but is not limited to:
- The creation of or participation in an activity or pro bono program that expands legal services to underserved segments of the population or fills a previously unmet need;
- Significant work on litigation, the outcome of which benefits persons of limited means; or
- Significant work on the adoption of legislation or policies that benefit individuals of limited means.
The committee encourages the submission of nominations that reflect the diversity of the commonwealth’s residents. More information about award criteria and nomination guidelines can be found on the
About the Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards webpage. The deadline for nominations is July 1, 2022.
Pro Bono Honor Roll
The committee is also seeking submissions by lawyers, law students, law firms and other legal organizations that qualify for the Pro Bono Honor Roll.
- To be eligible for the Honor Roll for Individual Attorneys, attorneys must certify that they have provided at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services during calendar year 2021.
- The Honor Roll for Law Students recognizes students who have completed at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono services over the course of their law school careers.
- The Honor Roll for Legal Organizations recognizes law firms, solo practitioners, in-house corporate counsel offices, government attorney offices, nonprofit organizations and law schools that meet certain criteria for the number of hours of pro bono legal services provided by their attorneys and firm policies concerning pro bono service.
More information and links to online application forms are available at the
About the Pro Bono Honor Roll webpage. Applications for the Pro Bono Honor Roll should be submitted by Sept. 30, 2022.
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U.S. Bankruptcy Court announces updates
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts recently announced that it has updated:
- Appendix 3, Filing Fees, found in its Local Rules; and
- The contact information and organization for case administration and courtroom staff.
Click here for more information.
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Job Opening
Law clerk at Housing Court
The Massachusetts Housing Court is accepting applications for a law clerk position. The law clerk will serve a one-year term and may be invited to return for an additional one-year term. The successful candidate will be based out of the Administrative Office of the Housing Court in Boston, may work in Housing Court locations across the commonwealth and may be required to travel to other courthouses throughout Massachusetts.
The law clerk will work directly with the justices on a variety of assignments that will involve performing legal research, preparing memoranda on cases and legal issues, drafting decisions and orders, and/or attending court sessions. Research topics will include not only substantive questions of law but also questions involving procedural and evidentiary issues. The law clerks can expect to complete the clerkship with a solid understanding of landlord-tenant and other housing law, court rules and general courtroom practice.
Click here for more information and application instructions.