Happy Pro Bono Month! You can learn more about pro bono opportunities through the Boston Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association.
We also share updates from our October 11 Commission Meeting and information about the Annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards.
Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission October 11, 2022, Meeting Highlights
Thank you to the Commissioners and guests who joined us at the MA Access to Justice Commission meeting on Tuesday, October 11. At this first meeting of the 2022-2023 Commission year, we had a productive and engaging conversation about the Commission’s recently released Report: “Creating a More Equitable System: Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” This Report compiles feedback from a range of access to justice stakeholders and reflects on lessons learned during the pandemic and opportunities to take advantage of adaptations and innovations to improve access to justice for all court users. During the meeting, Commissioners and the public shared perspectives on the Report’s recommendations.
We also had the opportunity to learn more about the Western New England School of Law Center for Social Justice’s exciting new free Legal Kiosk initiative which will be available throughout Springfield.
Finally, we welcomed everyone at this first in-person meeting since 2020, but particularly our newest Commissioners: Justine Dunlap, Professor at the University of Massachusetts School of Law; Colin Harnsgate, Senior Staff Attorney in the Bankruptcy and Consumer Units at the Volunteer Lawyers Project; Danielle Johnson, Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing Stability in Boston; and Lisa Owens, Executive Director of the Hyams Foundation. We look forward to a productive year.
Our next MA ATJ Commission meeting is February 15th from 1-2:30 via Zoom.
Annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards, October 26, 2022
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 4 pm, Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Elspeth Cypher will present awards to two attorneys and two law students selected by the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, in recognition of their exceptional dedication to providing volunteer services for persons who cannot afford an attorney for their essential legal needs. The Committee will also recognize the achievements of attorneys, law students, and legal organizations who qualified for the Supreme Judicial Court Pro Bono Honor Roll. The program will be presented in person in the Supreme Judicial Court’s Seven Justice Courtroom at the John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square, Boston, MA and live online. More information on the annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards and the awardees can be found here.
We look forward to seeing you soon.