2024-25 MBA Access to Justice Award Nomination Form Survey

PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARD: This award is given to an individual who has been instrumental in developing, implementing and supporting pro bono programs for the MBA, a local county bar association or a pro bono program of a law firm, or has developed a pro bono program sponsored or organized through an agency in the commonwealth, or has performed significant or meaningful pro bono activity.

DEFENDER AWARD: This award is given to an attorney who is employed or retained by a public or nonprofit agency to provide criminal legal services to low-income clients, and who has made a particularly significant or meaningful contribution to the provision of low-income legal services, above and beyond the requirements of their position.

LEGAL SERVICES AWARD: This award is given to an attorney employed by a public or nonprofit agency to provide civil legal services to low-income clients, and who has made a particularly significant or meaningful contribution to the provision of low-income legal services, above and beyond the requirements of their position.

PRO BONO AWARD FOR LAW FIRMS: This award is given to a law firm, composed of two or more attorneys with one or more offices in the commonwealth, whose pro bono activities are particularly noteworthy in relation to the firm’s size, and which has performed significant or meaningful pro bono activities or has been particularly instrumental in developing, implementing and/or supporting a pro bono program or pro bono service within Massachusetts.

PROSECUTOR AWARD: This award is given to a state or federal prosecutor who has distinguished themself in
public service, and whose commitment to justice and serving the communities where they live or work is particularly praiseworthy.

RISING STAR AWARD: This award is given to an attorney employed by a legal services organization, a public defender organization, or a state or federal prosecutor’s office, or an attorney who has engaged in significant pro bono activities, who has been a practicing attorney for seven years or less, who has distinguished themself by a particular accomplishment or body of work that has made a significant and meaningful contribution to access to justice to an underserved population within Massachusetts.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AWARD: This award is given to an attorney or law firm that has pursued zealous advocacy and/or has had a significant role in an initiative framed with a racial justice lens that centers and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion. Work could include efforts to challenge discrimination or bias and/or to address barriers based on individual and structural racism.

LAW SCHOOL CLINICIAN AWARD This award is given to an attorney who is employed by a law school clinical program to supervise law students providing low-income legal services, and who has made a particularly significant or meaningful contribution to access to justice to an underserved population within Massachusetts.

COURT-EMPLOYED ATTORNEY AWARD: This award is given to an attorney who is directly employed by the Massachusetts state or federal court systems and who has made a particularly significant contribution which enhances access to justice for an underserved population within Massachusetts.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: This award is given to an MBA member at the end of their career (or posthumously). This award is given to an attorney who has committed almost their entire career to advancing access to justice issues.

2024-25 MBA Access to Justice Award Nomination Form

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* 1. NOMINATOR (Your) Information:

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* 2. NOMINEE Information:

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* 3. Select an award category for your nominee. Please pick ONLY ONE. You may nominate an individual for more than one category, but you must complete a separate form for each nomination.

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* 4. In two to three paragraphs, please explain why the nominee deserves an Access to Justice Award. For example: population served, challenges overcome, service to access to justice, programs established.

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* 5. If there are individuals you recommend we contact as an additional reference for your nominee, please leave their name and contact information (phone/email) below.