Photo Credit: Joe Caci
Top: MBA member Pat Francomano presents the MBA Community Service Award to MBA Past President Denise Squillante at the Bristol Bar Association’s Annual Dinner.
Bottom: MBA President-elect Grace V.B. Garcia presents the MBA Community Service Award to Jason Chan at the Worcester County Bar Association’s Law Day Breakfast
The Massachusetts Bar Association recently awarded two Community Service Awards to members in Bristol and Worcester counties.
The MBA Community Service Award is given to attorneys who have made important public service contributions to their communities, and to publicize the fact that members of the legal profession are caring, involved individuals, who are eager to use their legal skills for the betterment of society.
On April 28, at the Bristol Bar Association’s Annual Dinner, MBA member Pat Francomano, who co-chaired the MBA’s Mock Trial Committee this year and formerly served on the House of Delegates, presented the MBA Community Service Award to former MBA President Denise Squillante in recognition of her career serving the legal community.
In addition to serving as MBA president in 2010, Squillante, who practices in Fall River at the Law Office of Denise Squillante, previously served as president of the Fall River and New England bar associations. She also has contributed to several important MBA initiatives, including the MBA and Boston Bar Association Joint Alimony Task Force, the MBA 9/11 Task Force, and the MBA Child Support Guidelines and Pro Se committees. Outside of her practice, Squillante serves as a Domestic Violence Task Force member for the Women’s Center and sits on the board of directors for the YMCA, both in Fall River.
On April 29, at the Worcester County Bar Association’s Law Day Breakfast, MBA President-elect Grace V.B. Garcia presented the MBA Community Service Award to MBA member Jason Chan, who was honored for his volunteerism in the city of Worcester.
Chan serves on the board of directors at Net of Compassion, a non-profit organization that provides a homeless shelter, food pantry, mobile shower units and weekly meals. He has earned a reputation as someone who has gone above and beyond his role as a board member by driving to pick up donations of gently used clothing and becoming heavily involved in creating a day center in Worcester.
Chan also was praised for his volunteer work as executive board vice president of OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates of New England, whose mission is to advance the well-being of all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. With fellow board members, he co-founded the Youth Leadership Council, which provides an invaluable forum for local students to learn about Asian civil rights, community organizing, mental health education and other important topics.