Roy A. Hammer, a past president of both the Massachusetts Bar
Association and the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, will receive the
2011 Robert F. Drinan Award for Distinguished Service from the
American Bar Association's Section of Individual Rights and
Responsibilities in February.
Hammer, Of Counsel to the Boston law firm Hemenway & Barnes
LLP, will receive the award at a reception in his honor on Feb. 11,
2011, at the ABA Midyear Meeting in Atlanta.
The award, named in honor of the late Father Robert F. Drinan, SJ,
recognizes individuals whose sustained and extraordinary commitment
to the section has advanced its mission of providing leadership to
the legal profession in protecting and advancing human rights,
civil liberties and social justice.
For nearly 20 years, Hammer has served in the IRR leadership in
many capacities - as its Board of Governors liaison, finance
officer, chair of its Development Committee, and council member.
Hammer was instrumental creating the IRR FJE Support Fund, and the
approval by the ABA of a second section delegate to the ABA House
of Delegates.
"I can think of no other person more deserving of the Father
Drinan Award," said Section Chair C. Elisia Frazier. "Roy embodies
the spirit of the Father Drinan Award and his efforts have helped
the section maintain a leadership role in protecting and advancing
civil rights, human rights and social justice."
Outside the ABA, Hammer is deeply involved in pro bono activities.
He has served as president of the Civil Liberties Union of
Massachusetts, director of the New England Bar Association, council
member to the Boston Bar Association, special counsel to the City
of Cambridge and is actively involved in many charitable
organizations in the Boston area.