The MBLA encourages all our members to attend the Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services’ awards ceremony for the 2015 Adams Pro Bono Public Awards on Wednesday, October 28th at 4:00 p.m. in the Supreme Judicial Court courtroom at the John Adams Courthouse.
Justice Geraldine Hines will present the awards to the following attorneys:
Archer B. Battista, Holyoke: For his extraordinary work on behalf of veterans, including his selfless efforts to secure medical and other disability benefits for Air Force reservists suffering from Agent Orange presumptive diseases who had previously been denied such benefits;
Elizabeth L. Ennen, Cambridge: For her tireless dedication as a compassionate advocate representing immigrants seeking political asylum, through her work with the Community Legal Services and Counseling Center;
John J. Regan, Boston: For his outstanding leadership and steadfast commitment to providing pro bono legal services for veterans and for his continuing dedication to the pursuit of social justice, as evidenced by his current representation of victims of a cholera outbreak in Haiti;
and a special student award to:
Shannon Johnson, 2015 Graduate, Boston College Law School: For her tremendous commitment while a student in law school to the immigration issues facing indigent noncitizens, most notably her work not only representing immigrants in bond hearings, but recruiting and training other law students to become involved.
The Committee will also be presenting certificates to the law students, lawyers, and law firms that participated in the Court’s Pro Bono Honor Roll Program. A reception will follow the ceremony.
As you may know, the awards ceremony is one of many events and activities celebrating and building support for pro bono legal work in Massachusetts during October 2015, officially proclaimed as Pro Bono Month by Governor Charlie Baker. The American Bar Association has declared October 25 – 31, 2015 Pro Bono Week as well.
Please contact Carol Lev at 617-557-1074 or at carol.lev@sjc.state.ma.us by October 23rd if you plan to attend or if you have any questions about the event.
