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MBA Vice President Robert W. Harnais participates in Substance Abuse Awareness Week

Issue February 2013 By Andrea Burke

Massachusetts Bar Association Vice President Robert W. Harnais participated in a mock trial for Quincy's third annual Substance Abuse Awareness Week. The mock trial depicted the consequences of drunk driving and was attended by Quincy High School sophomores.

Playing the role of defense attorney, Harnais represented the driver who was eventually found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison for the alcohol induced crash that killed his two passengers. The event was the highlight of Quincy's Substance Abuse Awareness Week and contributed to the effort to deter students from substance abuse. It was sponsored by Mayor Thomas Koch's Substance Abuse Task Force.

Harnais is a partner at Mahoney Diamond and Harnais Law Offices in Quincy, where he practices criminal, family, real estate, labor and consumer law.

Harnais is longstanding volunteer with the MBA. In addition to his current officer post as vice president, Harnais has served as MBA secretary, a member of the House of Delegate since 2006 and as co-chair of the Task Force on Diversity.

In addition, Harnais is a past president of both the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys and the National Hispanic Bar Association, and remains highly involved with both organizations. He is also a member of the Norfolk County Bar Association. Since 2007, he has served as a member of the Race and Ethnic Advisory Board for the Massachusetts courts.

Harnais is also involved in his local community as chairman of the Braintree Planning Board and as a volunteer coach with Braintree Pop Warner.