The Access to Justice Section Council is seeking nominations for the MBA's Access to Justice Awards, which will be presented at the MBA Annual Conference 2005 in March. These awards offer a unique opportunity to recognize the efforts and achievements of MBA members for their public-service contributions.
Nominations may be submitted in the following categories:
• Legal Services Award, which is given to an attorney employed by a public or non-profit 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 or his or her position.
• Pro Bono Award for Law Firms, which is given to a law firm, comprised 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 activity or which has been particularly instrumental in developing, implementing and/or supporting a pro bono program or pro bono services within Massachusetts.
• Pro Bono Publico Award, which is given to an individual who has been instrumental in developing, implementing and supporting pro bono programs for the MBA or for 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, which is given to an attorney who is employed or retained by a public or non-profit 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 his or her position.
• Prosecutor Award, which is given to a state or federal prosecutor who has distinguished himself or herself in public service and whose commitment to justice and serving the communities where he or she lives or works is particularly praiseworthy.
To ensure that award recipients truly reflect the best of the legal profession, the MBA encourages nominations from its members, regional and minority bar associations and public service organizations.
Nominations should include a letter describing the nominee's contributions to the community within the criteria of the award and a copy of the nominee's resume. Nominations should be mailed to: Access to Justice Awards, Massachusetts Bar Association, 20 West St., Boston, MA 02111. Nominations should be submitted by Oct. 29.