One of the wonderful things about belonging to the Massachusetts
Bar Association is the opportunity to make meaningful contributions
to our profession, our system of justice and our communities.
The MBA is proud to partner with organizations dedicated to helping
the less fortunate, especially at this special time of year. The
MBA's Young Lawyers Division just concluded their Thanksgiving Food
Drive with the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and many families had a
very special Thanksgiving due to the acts of kindness of the MBA
members who donated.
We have several ongoing programs that also provide special holiday
cheer for children and families in the commonwealth. The MBA has
once again partnered with Cradles to Crayons to collect new and
like-new children's items, especially warm winter gear, in support
of the Gear Up for Winter program. This year we are also making a
donation to Christmas in the City (CITC) and sending a team of MBA
volunteers to help set up CITC's hallmark event, which provides a
magical day and personalized toys for children living in
shelters.
Each of these programs and "giving" opportunities are important to
everyone, and provide much needed help to those less fortunate.
This is also an opportunity to focus on the unique ability we have
as MBA members to make a meaningful contribution to our own justice
system.
When we advocate for higher salaries for assistant district
attorneys, public defenders and bar advocates, we give back to the
very people who uphold the rule of law every day. And when we never
stop advocating for voir dire, we bring a new level of
fairness and transparency to the judicial system. While we have
accomplished a great deal in the past year, we must continue to
make our collective voices heard.
Supporting legal aid is something that should be a part of every
lawyer's DNA. For 50 years, our philanthropic partner, the
Massachusetts Bar Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to
hundreds of programs that provide civil legal aid across the
commonwealth. You can read about one MBF grant recipient this month
in our Lawyers Journal profile on the Irish International
Immigrant Center, whose Citizenship and Legal Services Program
assists underserved and low-income immigrants in Massachusetts in
their efforts to become fully integrated and civically engaged in
the United States. But these programs and many more like it need
our help now more than ever. Funding for the Massachusetts Legal
Assistance Corporation (MLAC) is at an all-time low, and without
attorneys to provide assistance for indigent persons in need,
access to justice will soon become a privilege of the wealthy
instead of every person's right. It is our obligation to ensure
that this does not happen.
And in keeping with my recent themes of protecting the independence
of the judiciary, the importance of the power of the vote and the
rule of law, and ensuring access to justice, I would urge one more
thing. I would urge everyone to participate in the Supreme Judicial
Court's Judicial Performance Evaluation program. Why? Because
without our feedback, there is no meaningful way to contribute to
the improvement of our judiciary - a judiciary whose excellence is
a source of great pride to us all. We are lucky to have judges who
have such a strong commitment to quality and improvement. But
without our participation, that process can only go so far.
So if you want to continue to have excellent judges, do your part
and make your voice heard. It's like voting. You may not think that
it makes a difference, but it does. You may not see its impact
immediately, but change takes time. Give some of your faith to the
system that we rely on every day, and lend your voice to improve it
by responding to the evaluation when you have the
opportunity.
As lawyers, we give back in so many different ways, every single
day, although people rarely hear about all the things that we do.
That's why I was so thrilled when two of my colleagues were honored
recently for their good work. In October, MBA President-elect
Robert W. Harnais received the 2014 Leadership Award from the
Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA), which
honored him for being a champion for Hispanic lawyers and a
tireless advocate for those less fortunate in the Hispanic
community. And just last month the Middlesex County Bar Association
gave their 2014 Outstanding Service Award to my predecessor, MBA
Past President Douglas K. Sheff, in honor of his efforts on behalf
of the underrepresented and commitment to equal justice. It was
great to see two of our own recognized.
So in closing, during this holiday season, I want to thank each and
every one of you for everything that you do every day for your
clients, often unseen and unrecognized, but no less important and
selfless. You make us all proud, and you elevate our profession
with your dedication.
Happy Holidays!