Serve. Lead. Inspire. Boston Bar Association Lawyers Shaping Our
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2014 Boston Bar Association PUBLIC Serve. Lead. Inspire. SERVICE Lawyers Shaping Our Community REPORT We make a living by what we get, but we “ make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill Introduction to the Story Book Voting Rights. Tax Assistance. One Fund Applications. Summer Jobs for Boston Teens. As demand for our public service initiatives continues to grow, our members have stepped up to help, engaging in a range of projects that improve people’s lives and strengthen our neighbor- hoods. They’ve stood up for improved funding for legal services and the court system, donated their time and money, and inspired the next generation of lawyers and citizens. The following pages tell the stories of their experiences, and show the impact their work has had. We hope they inspire you as they have us, and that you join us next year as we work to improve our neighborhoods, help our fellow citizens, and create a brighter future for our city. If you would like to get involved in any of these programs, please contact Katie D’Angelo, Public Service Programs Coordinator, at [email protected]. 2 2014 BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION SERVICE REPORT About the Boston Bar Association 4 & Foundation 6 Military & Veterans Legal Help Line 8 Marathon Assistance Project 10 Summer Jobs M. Ellen Carpenter Financial 14 Literacy Program 16 Law Day in the Schools Lawyer for a Day in the 18 Boston Housing Court 20 Public Interest Leadership Program 22 Additional Programs 24 Expanding Access to Justice 25 John & Abigail Adams Benefit 26 Committees & Volunteers 29 Donors, Sponsors & Fellows 36 BBA Council and BBF Trustees ABOUT THE BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION The Boston Bar Association (BBA) is the hub industry practices: health, financial services, of the legal profession—a strong and diverse and college and university law. They are also group of attorneys committed to professional proof that an inclusive legal community is a excellence, giving back to our community strong legal community. As an organization, and fostering equal access to the justice we’ve built formal partnerships with six affinity system for all. bar associations including: the Asian Ameri- can Lawyers Association, the Massachusetts Starting as a small group of lawyers led Association of Hispanic Attorneys, the Mas- by John Adams in the late 1700’s, the BBA sachusetts Black Lawyers Association, the is now over 12,000 strong, with members Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys, the ranging from large firm practitioners, solo Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association and and boutique lawyers, affinity bar leaders, the South Asian Bar Association of Greater in-house counsel, regulators, legal aid attor- Boston. Together with our fellow bar associa- neys, court personnel, law school faculty and tions, our partners in the city, and the Boston law students, and other legal professionals. Bar Foundation, we work to strengthen our The Boston Bar Association has engaged thousands of lawyers Our members are experts in a wide range initiatives and expand our capabilities as we of fields, including Boston’s most prominent look to a bright future. in projects that directly improve people’s lives.” —Paul T. Dacier, 2013-2014 BBA President 4 2014 BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION SERVICE REPORT ABOUT THE BOSTON BAR FOUNDATION The Boston Bar Foundation, the charitable make a meaningful impact in our community. affiliate of the Boston Bar Association, is where In addition to funding the portfolio of projects the legal community comes together to make described in this report, the BBF also provides a difference and give back. Since its founding direct grants to community non-profits that in 1957, the BBF has engaged thousands of law- provide legal assistance to those in need. yers in projects that directly improve people’s lives and strengthen our community. The Boston Bar Foundation is able to fund the projects and programs described in this report The BBF takes a holistic approach to advancing thanks to the generous donations and financial its mission to expand access to justice and support from individuals, law firms, businesses engage lawyers in service opportunities that and other sponsors. The Boston Bar Association has engaged thousands of lawyers in“ projects that directly improve people’s lives.” —Paul T. Dacier, 2013-2014 BBA President 2014 BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION SERVICE REPORT 5 The ability to have a direct impact on worthy “ individuals in need is greatly rewarding both professionally and personally.” —Patrick Tracey, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP MILITARY & VETERANS LEGAL HELP LINE veterans who served our country, the Boston Bar Lawyer Referral Service became home to the Military & Veterans Legal Help Line last year. With dedicated panels for Family Law, Bankruptcy, Benefits and more, all attorneys are trained to assist with the unique legal issues faced by these men and women. The need for these services has only been inten- sified due to the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we see more military mem- bers and veterans than ever before requesting legal help. The Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) has connected members of the public with lawyers and legal resources for over 50 years, and is proud to continue expanding our support for those who served our country though the Military & Veterans Legal Help Line. When those who have served our country return home, they can often find themselves trying to navigate complex issues as they work to move their lives forward. The BBA OUR PARTNERS Military & Veterans Legal Help Line gives them a place to turn, and offers a unique support • Legal Advocacy & Resource Center (LARC) system for active and former service mem- • Veterans Legal Services bers and their families to connect with lawyers and legal resources. • Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association In an effort to address the unmet legal issues faced by members of the armed forces and 6 2014 BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION SERVICE REPORT BBA Military & Veterans Legal Help Line volunteer Patrick Tracey of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius 2014 BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION SERVICE REPORT 7 When those who have served our country return home, they can often find themselves trying to navigate complex issues as they OUR PARTNERS work to move their lives forward. The BBA OUR PARTNERS • Legal Advocacy & Resource Center (LARC) PATRICK TRACEYMilitary & Veterans | Volunteer Legal Help Line gives them a place to turn, and offers a unique support • Shelter• Legal Legal Advocacy Services & Resource Center (LARC) Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP represented a former service- The client justifiably relied on the Certificate in enrolling in system for active and former service mem-- member referred by the BBA Military & Veterans Legal college and incurred• Volunteer• Shelter those LegalLawyers expenses Services Project only of the upon the belief bers and their families to connect with lawyers Boston Bar Association Help Line. The former servicemember requested educa- that those expenses would be reimbursed by the VA. The and legal resources. • Volunteer Lawyers Project of the tional benefits from the U.S. Veterans Administration (“VA”) case is still ongoingBoston as we Bar await Association a decision by the VA. as a result of his service in the military, for which he was The BBA Military & Veterans Legal Help Line provides In an effort to address the unmet legal issues approved. The client relocated to Boston in preparation to the opportunity to engage in meaningful representations faced by members of the armed forces and attend classes at a local university and enrolled in college that involve veteran issues affecting former servicemem- classes. It was only after he had begun classes that the bers and their families. The cases, although often challeng- client received any notice from the VA that the Certificate ing, allow for lawyers to obtain hands-on experience that of Eligibility for these benefits was issued in error. fosters advocacy skills, client counseling and court room The VA’s subsequent letter denying benefits was mailed practice. The ability to have a direct impact on worthy and received after the date to receive any refund from the individuals in need is greatly rewarding both profession- school. As such, the client was responsible for the entire ally and personally. I encourage other lawyers to donate semester of tuition and fees, including other supplies and time to public service initiatives and programs that have a books purchased. profound impact on the lives of the clients we represent. We requested that the VA pay for the tuition, fees and other costs that the client committed to pay subsequent Patrick Tracey assists with coordinating the volunteer to the VA issuing the Certificate of Eligibility and prior to efforts at his law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. the VA determining that the certificate was issued in error. THE IMPACT Number of attorneys trained to assist 114 veterans More military members & veterans % 340 connected with Number of calls since September 1, 2013 legal services 161 2014 BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION SERVICE REPORT 8 AsWe a believe runner, in I wasthe powergrateful. of Asthe a community city official, to rally in Idifficult was“ impressed. times and As to a supportlawyer…I eachwas proud.”other.” —Suzanne King, Partner at Schwartz Hannum MARATHON ASSISTANCE PROJECT In times of crises, lawyers are uniquely positioned issues, file taxes and complete the application to provide assistance to those in need. In the for the second distribution of the One Fund. We wake of the Boston Marathon tragedy, mem- salute the BBA volunteers, as they worked in bers of the bar responded by offering their time collaboration with the City of Boston, Massachu- and talent to the community to assist victims setts Office for Victim Assistance, and the One and small businesses affected by the bombing Fund, for their commitment to providing hope and help them get back on their feet.