Improving the public perception of lawyers hinges on the
successful implementation of three related Massachusetts Bar
Association-driven initiatives that incorporate three of the most
popular words in the English language: family, consumer and
justice. Each of these initiatives -- the "Working Families
Initiative," the "Consumer Advocacy Initiative," and the "Justice
For All Initiative" -- is designed to assist critical elements of
our society, while advancing the image of attorneys and the
MBA.
Working Families Initiative
The "Working Families Initiative" is well underway and has
already made a substantial difference in our communities. Three
years ago, the MBA created the Workplace Safety Task Force for the
purposes of reducing injuries and deaths in the workplace. Since
its inception, the Task Force has studied trends throughout the
state and made educational presentations about workplace safety in
working-class communities.
With representatives from law, business, labor, medicine,
academia, and other professions, the Task Force's cross-industry
composition demonstrates the reality that attorneys are often
bridge builders. Our message of inclusivity has even affected
lawmakers on Beacon Hill, most recently with the passage of a bill
in our Legislature supporting fair pay and appropriate safety
measures for workers. The MBA has created a powerful message -- its
attorneys work hard to protect working families throughout the
commonwealth.
The concept of working families also encompasses businesses,
often run by families, sometimes for generations. It includes
parents struggling to pay exorbitant tuition, without a significant
tax break, as well as families who are victims of predatory
lending, struggling to keep their homes. The Working Families
Initiative will address these sorts of concerns by using the same
effective principles and models utilized by the Workplace Safety
Task Force.
Consumer Advocacy Initiative
The "Consumer Advocacy Initiative" has the potential to have a
tremendous positive effect on the Massachusetts public. Every
moment of the day, each of us is a consumer. We are constantly in
contact with some type of product or service. In my capacity as MBA
president, I intend to appoint a Consumer Advocacy Task Force in an
effort to emphasize existing and much-needed consumer rights
protections. Our newest officer, Secretary Christopher A. Kenney,
will chair the Task Force. We will study areas where the MBA could
recognize and acknowledge consumer-friendly businesses within the
commonwealth. Conversely, the Task Force will serve as a
clearinghouse for consumers seeking information about their rights
when entities behave irresponsibly, exposing the public to
inadequate or negligent services or defective products.
Justice for All Initiative
Finally, the "Justice for All Initiative" will formalize the
MBA's longstanding history of support for the underprivileged and
disenfranchised. The spirit of the initiative and its very title
are embodied in our nation's "Pledge of Allegiance." The goal of
the initiative is to encourage and highlight our pro bono
and charity work for the less advantaged.
We will support and amplify good deeds performed by attorneys,
such as those who serve on our Access to Justice Section Council,
Massachusetts Bar Foundation, Dial-A-Lawyer Program, Tiered
Community Mentoring Committee, Lawyer Referral Service, and the
MBA's Marathon Bombing Legal Assistance Program.
The "Justice for All Initiative" will also create extensive
public awareness of our support for due process, exemplified by our
Crime Lab Task Force, led by Treasurer Robert W. Harnais and Chief
Legal Counsel Martin W. Healy, who have worked tirelessly to ensure
fairness in cases affected by potentially tainted evidence. We will
continue our efforts to support those underrepresented in our
society, most recently victims of traumatic brain injury.
We will issue a challenge for public acts of random kindness,
and publicize these in a way that will inspire lawyers of all sorts
and lay people, young and old. It is imperative that we convey our
message in a manner that is meaningful, interesting and in a manner
that resonates with the public. It's a difficult task, but our job
will be to make positive stories as appealing and newsworthy as the
negative ones.
I firmly believe that if we are successful, the public and the
media will respond favorably and ultimately see lawyers in a more
positive light.
Douglas K. Sheff is president of the
MBA.