I was recently reminded of a time when I intervened during an
argument between opposing counsel several years ago. My message to
my two colleagues at the time was, "We're better than this." Before
and since then, it has been heartwarming to learn of countless acts
of altruism displayed by our many colleagues across the
commonwealth. Their collective efforts illustrate the true spirit
of our fine profession.
Each and every day, thousands of lawyers throughout the
commonwealth work to assist individuals in some of their most
difficult times. These lawyers could be defending an individual who
has been charged with a crime, assisting a family grieving the
death of a loved one, helping an individual through the difficult
process of a divorce, representing a child in a custodial conflict,
trying to find justice for an injured individual, or engaging in
other countless situations that require legal assistance. For the
people who need the help, the day-in, day-out duties that
Massachusetts lawyers perform make a difference in their lives.
Many lawyers are doing significant pro bono work and community
service, and devoting their time to serve on non-profit boards
throughout the state. In addition, with the Trial Court staffing
crisis and budget problems, lawyers continue to assist in
courthouses across the commonwealth. They participate in volunteer
conciliation programs, Lawyer for the Day or other public service
programs that are needed to help the court in its daily
functioning. Many lawyers are also working to assist individuals in
the foreclosure crisis, veterans who call the MBA's Dial-A-Lawyer
service, or intervene in other crises that become prevalent in
times of economic turmoil.
One challenge for these hardworking lawyers is to find work-life
balance. This is particularly challenging in an underfunded court
system, as the lawyers who are integral to the functioning of the
court on the other side of the bench step up to the plate to assist
and to advocate for the courts. Throughout the commonwealth, there
are many programs and initiatives in which lawyers are reaching out
to assist the courts during the deep staff reductions, at a time
when they are managing their practices and their own staff in
difficult times.
Individuals in the four corners of the Bay State who have made a
difference will be recognized this year as part of the MBA's 100th
anniversary commemorations. Our celebrations will honor the MBA's
century of service to the public, to the legal profession and to
the rule of law. This rich tradition of service has been and will
continue to be sustained by the members of our fine profession.
The MBA announces the MBA Centennial Award, which will be given
by the president or another officer throughout the centennial
celebration to a person of extraordinary achievement (who may be a
lawyer, law professor, judge, court administrator, legislator or
other person with significant involvement with the legal system
and/or the rights and responsibilities of individuals,
corporations, partnerships, trusts and other civic bodies) who
materially advanced the rule of law, enhanced the integrity of
lawyers, judges or the legal profession, engaged or is engaging in
important legal scholarship, or protected the democratic principles
upon which our country was founded.
At this time, there have been two recipients of the MBA
Centennial Award. Bristol Bar Association President Nancy Stanton,
who has given 20 years of volunteer bar association service, was
the first. In addition to her bar work, she has assisted in the
development of an approved conciliation program in the Second
District Court, one of the many important pro bono programs through
which lawyers assist the court in helping to move cases along (See
story, page 16).
The second recipient was Robert Marchand, who is very active
with the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the
MBA. He was recognized with this award for his decades of work with
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.
Throughout the commonwealth, there are many other lawyers who are
deserving of this award. I will be reaching out with the MBA
throughout the state to identify those individuals who represent
the best in our profession, working deep in the trenches in the
four corners of the commonwealth. As we celebrate their service, we
celebrate our profession and the reason that we all took this life
path, to help the public.