The MBA's Centennial Conference, a celebration of the MBA's
century of service to the public, profession and rule of law, will
take place on Wednesday, May 18, and Thursday, May 19, at the
Boston Sheraton Hotel.
"It's an opportunity for everybody to come together and celebrate
the rich history of the MBA," said MBA President Denise Squillante.
"The conference offers practitioners an opportunity to network and
sharpen their skills, while at the same time, honor our past 100
years."
The two-day conference will feature three concurrent Continuing
Legal Education tracks, the annual Access to Justice Awards
Luncheon, a "Hail to the Chiefs" bench-bar panel and the Centennial
Ball, featuring a keynote address from U.S. Supreme Court Associate
Justice Stephen G. Breyer.
Educational Highlights
The Centennial Conference will kick off on May 18 with a half
day of continuing legal education programming and continue with a
full day of programming on May 19. The conference features three
concurrent CLE tracks:
Young Lawyers Track: Running Your Law Practice on
a Shoestring Budget; Limited Assistance Representation Open Forum;
Social Media for Lawyers; 60 Sites to Bring Your Firm Into the
Future; Networking Strategies for the Successful Attorney;
Technology From Your Office to the Courtroom
Litigation Track: Hot Issues in Discovery;
Crafting a Winning Theme - From Soup to Nuts; Evidence; Direct-and
Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses; Convincing the Judge:
Practical Advice for Litigators; Voir Dire
Substantive Law Track: Family Law Update; Trends
in Employment Law; Uniform Probate Code Update; Criminal Law;
Secret Weapons for the Personal Injury Attorney; Tax Implications
in Real Estate Transactions
"Whether it's for the celebration or the education, it's a really
important event. You can learn, celebrate and network all at the
same time," said MBA Secretary Marsha V. Kazarosian, who is
co-chair of the MBA's Education Committee.
Annual awards Luncheon honors exemplary legal services
work
The Annual Access to Justice Awards Luncheon will take place on
May 18 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The luncheon will honor five attorneys
and one law firm for their efforts in providing exceptional legal
services to the public. Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray will deliver the
luncheon's keynote address and will also be honored with an MBA
Centennial Award.
The Access to Justice Award honorees are:
Legal Services Award: Linda L. Landry, Disability
Law Center, Boston, and Daniel S. Manning, Greater Boston Legal
Services, Boston
Pro Bono Award for Law Firms: Law Offices of
Howard Friedman, Boston
Pro Bono Publico Award: Eleanor J. Newhoff,
Newhoff Law, Cambridge
Defender Award: Radha Natarajan, Committee for Public
Counsel Services, Somerville
Prosecutor Award: Katharine B. Folger, Middlesex
District Attorney's Office, Woburn
Distinguished judges featured on May 18
panel
An informal "Hail to the Chiefs" bench-bar panel discussion,
featuring many of the state's top judges, will address important
bench-bar topics and serve as the wrap-up to the first day of
conference programming on May 18. From 4:30 to 6 p.m., attendees
will have an opportunity to interact with distinguished members of
the panel, including:
- Moderator: Associate Justice Ralph D. Gants, Supreme Judicial
Court;
- Chief Justice Paula M. Carey, Probate and Family Court;
- Chief Justice Lynda M. Connolly, District Court;
- Chief Justice Michael F. Edgerton, Juvenile Court;
- Chief Justice Charles R. Johnson, Boston Municipal Court;
- Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A.
Mulligan;
- Chief Justice Steven D. Pierce, Housing Court;
- Chief Justice Phillip Rapoza, Appeals Court;
- Chief Justice Barbara J. Rouse, Superior Court; and
- Chief Justice Karyn F. Scheier, Land Court.
A reception will follow the panel discussion, at which SJC Clerk
for Suffolk County Maura S. Doyle will be recognized with the MBA
Public Service Award.
"We really will be providing something for everyone. The
conference has a wide net," said MBA Vice President Douglas K.
Sheff, who is chair of the Centennial Conference and co-chair of
the Centennial Ball.
Centennial ball
The two-day event and celebration will culminate with the MBA's
Centennial Ball on May 19. The event will feature a keynote address
from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer and a special
Hennessey Award presentation to retiring U.S. District Court Judge
Nancy Gertner. The MBA will also honor Foley Hoag's Michael B.
Keating with its Gold Medal Award and Mintz Levin's Richard G.
Mintz with a Centennial Award.
The Centennial Ball will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m.,
followed by dinner and awards at 6:30 p.m. MBA members and friends
of the legal community are invited to join the MBA for music,
dancing and a dessert buffet following the dinner.