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Harnais receives Community Service Award from Norfolk County bar

Issue March 2015

The Bar Association of Norfolk County honored Massachusetts Bar Association President-elect Robert W. Harnais with the MBA's Community Service Award on March 4 at the Neighborhood Club in Quincy. MBA President Marsha V. Kazarosian presented the award to Harnais and spoke about all he has done for the MBA and the community.

"We give this award 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," said Kazarosian. "That is what Bob exemplifies. He is truly a caring, empathetic, involved and sincere human being."

Harnais has volunteered his service to the MBA for many years. An MBA officer since 2011, Harnais has been a member of the MBA's House of Delegates since 2006 and is a member of the MBA's Executive Management Board. He has also served as co-chair of the MBA's Crime Lab Task Force and chair of the MBA's Diversity Task Force.

In addition to his MBA involvement, Harnais is a past president of both the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA) and the Hispanic National Bar Association, and remains highly involved with both organizations. Last October MAHA presented Harnais with its 2014 Leadership Award. Harnais also received the Quincy Bar Association's Alfred P. Malaney Award, also known as the "Man of the Year" Award, for distinguished legal services.

Since 2007, Harnais has served as a member of the Race and Ethnic Advisory Board for the Massachusetts courts. Harnais is chairman of the Braintree Planning Board and enjoys being a football official in his spare time.