2024
Fall Student Reception
October 23, 2024 View Photos
2024
Fall Reception
October 2, 2024 View Photos
2024 Student BBQ September 14, 2024 View Photos 2024 MBLA Gala May 4, 2024 View Photos MBLA Working to attract, retain and elevate talented Black attorneys since 1973. Join the MBLA Welcome To VOTE Use your voice and be heard. Click the button to learn more about MA voter registration. Register to vote REGISTER TO man on laptop The MBLA is now accepting general online donations as well as Building The Legacy Scholarship Fund donations. Click the buttons below or scan the QR codes! scholarship fund Online donations General donations

Our Mission

The MBLA is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal field while advocating for systemic change to promote justice and equality in our communities. Through education, mentorship, and collaborative action, we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable legal industry while addressing the systemic challenges faced by Black individuals.

Avana A. Epperson-Temple

President’s Message

As I step into this role as President of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association for the 2024-2025 programming year, I am filled with both pride and humility. Since its inception, the MBLA has been a beacon of hope and empowerment, dedicated to fostering diversity within the legal profession and guiding law students and attorneys of color through the intricacies of our legal landscape.

Throughout its history, the MBLA has epitomized empowerment, spearheading impactful initiatives like the Attorney Referral Program that have left a lasting impression on both our members and the broader community. Additionally, the MBLA has cultivated a sense of unity and belonging among our members, forging lasting bonds over the years for many.

For this programming year, our focus will be on elevating the holistic wellbeing of our members, particularly emphasizing financial, emotional and physical wellbeing. We will provide financial literacy programming that offers strategies to navigate the significant challenge of student loan debt, empowering both our members and the larger community to continue their journey towards economic access and opportunity. Moreover, we will create programming to equip our members and the larger community with the tools to navigate stress and trauma in the workplace and prioritize their own mental and physical health. We will also implement initiatives to support our members as they navigate their legal careers and facilitate their pursuit of satisfaction and purpose in their professional endeavors.

As President, I am committed to building on the incredible legacy of our esteemed organization and advancing our mission towards advocating for a more diverse, inclusive and equitable legal community, as well as a judiciary that reflects the rich diversity of our Commonwealth.

Above all, the MBLA is here to support you. Please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of serving as your President.

MBLA Scholarship Fund

Build the Legacy

Honorable Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland Leadership and Juvenile Advocacy Award

This award was established to support the development of students who, like Chief Justice Ireland, have exhibited a…

Honorable Reginald Lindsay Public Service Award

This award seeks to support the development of students who, like Judge Lindsay, have overcome adversity to use their outstanding academic ability and skills in public service.

Fletcher “Flash” Wiley MBLA Legacy Scholarship Award

This award seeks to support the development of students who, like Past MBLA President Fletcher “Flash” Wiley, display academic and professional excellence, exhibit a…

HONORABLE JUSTICE GERALDINE S. HINES CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD

The Honorable Geraldine S. Hines Civil Rights Award seeks to support the development of students who, like Justice Hines, have used their outstanding academic ability and…

MBLA Leadership

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Upcoming Events

14Oct

Lawyers for Democracy Tour: Boston Event

6:00 pm - 8:00 pmSidley Austin LLP
17Oct

MBLA x Mass. LGBTQ Bar Mixer

6:00 pm - 8:00 pmNixon Peabody LLP
04Nov

MBLA Tabling Tour: Harvard Law School

6:30 pm - 9:30 pmHarvard Law School
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