When the partners at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP
wanted to show their appreciation to a colleague, they turned to
the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (MBF) for help in coming up with a
very special gift. The MBF is the philanthropic partner of the
Massachusetts Bar Association, which works to help thousands of
people obtain civil legal assistance.
Attorney Robert S. Mangiaratti had practiced at the firm for
more than eight years, and was leaving to become the town of
Attleboro's City Solicitor. The firm wanted to recognize all of the
good work Mangiaratti had done on its behalf in a meaningful way.
So, they decided to make a contribution to the MBF that would
elevate Mangiaratti, already a member of the MBF Society of
Fellows, to a Louis D. Brandeis Life Fellow.
"I thought it was a very nice gesture from the firm and,
frankly, made me feel like they valued my contribution for them to
do such a nice thing," said Mangiaratti. Katherine Hesse, a
founding partner of Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP and
member of the MBF Board of Trustees presented Mangiaratti with a
plaque and commended his commitment to the MBF's mission of
improving the administration of justice, promoting an understanding
of the law, and ensuring equal access to the legal system for all
residents of the commonwealth, particularly those most
vulnerable.
Since first joining the Society of Fellows back in 1992,
Mangiaratti has been a generous donor and also has volunteered his
time each year to review applications for the foundation's IOLTA
Grants Program. As a member of the Southeastern Mass. Regional
Grant Advisory Committee, Mangiaratti and other fellows visit
organizations throughout the region that apply for critically
needed funds that provide civil legal services to the poor or
improve the administration of justice. They then make funding
recommendations to the MBF Trustees.
The involvement of Fellows at the local level is essential to
the MBF's ability to get scarce funds to where they are needed
most. Mangiaratti has always found serving on the committee
particularly rewarding and validating, and he noted, "It confirms
my belief that we're doing important work and that the need for and
support of civil legal services is as great as ever."
While Mangiaratti called his efforts modest, his colleagues
noticed his involvement. Hesse knew that a gift on Mangiaratti's
behalf, to a cause about which he cared so deeply, would be a
wonderful tribute to her friend and colleague.
Of the choice to present Mangiaratti with this gift, Hesse said,
"We at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP really believe in
what the [MBF] does, and we know that Bob personally is very proud
to be a lawyer and has always given back to the profession,
including through the MBF. What could be more appropriate than to
recognize him in a manner that would make him proud?"
The MBF is so grateful for Bob's support and the thoughtful
contribution Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP made in his
honor. You can learn more about the MBF Society of Fellows at www.MassBarFoundation.org.