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Member Spotlight

Issue March 2011

MBA honors Judge Agnes, attorneys Doyle and Reardon with Centennial Awards

The Massachusetts Bar Association recognized Superior Court Judge Peter W. Agnes Jr., attorney Shirley A. Doyle and attorney James G. Reardon, who passed away in 1999, with Centennial Awards on Jan. 20 at the MBA's House of Delegates Meeting in Worcester.

"These honorees have given of themselves to both their profession and their communities," MBA President Denise Squillante said. "They exemplify the spirit of public service on which the Massachusetts Bar Association was founded a century ago."

Throughout the state, the MBA's Centennial Awards have been and will continue to be given throughout 2011 to persons of extraordinary achievement who materially advanced the rule of law, enhanced the integrity of lawyers, judges or the legal profession, engaged or is engaging in important legal scholarship, or protected the democratic principles upon which our country is founded.

  • Agnes was appointed to the Superior Court in 2000, previously serving as a District Court justice for 10 years. A member of the MBA's Task Force on Peremptory Challenges, he is also a commissioner of the Supreme Judicial Court's Access to Justice Commission, serves as the assistant editor of the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence and chaired the SJC's Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution from 1994 to 1998.
  • Doyle, a former president of the Worcester County Bar Association, is a long-time active member of the MBA. A member of MBA's Crisis in Court Funding Task Force, she has run her own law office for two decades, is a board member of the Worcester chapter of Dress for Success, a member of the Worcester Academy Board of Trustees and an incorporator of the St. Agnes Guild Day Care Center.
  • Reardon, a long-time MBA member, was a beloved trial attorney who had a zeal for justice and was an intense advocate for his clients. A co-founder of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, he was bestowed the Courageous Advocacy award by the group a year after his death.

DeNapoli recognized as Neponset Valley Business Person of the Year

The Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce (NVCC) named Albert A. DeNapoli, a partner at Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers PC, its Business Person of Year for 2010.

At the Chamber's Annual Awards dinner in Foxboro on Jan. 21, NVCC praised DeNapoli for his "selfless giving of time and talent over the years" to NVCC and his involvement in the economic and community development issues in the region.

DeNapoli, the chairman of the firm's Hospitality Practice Group, concentrates his practice in civil litigation, with a focus on contract disputes and employment issues. He is a founding member and executive director of the Family Business Association, whose mission is to recognize excellence within family businesses and provide resources to help family businesses succeed.

DeNapoli is past chairman of the NVCC and currently serves as a member of the board of directors and executive board, and is also general counsel to the chamber. Since 1894, the NVCC has promoted business growth in the Neponset Valley.