REMEMBERING 2014-15 MBA THE BOSTON OFFICERS AND MARATHON DELEGATES BOMBING ANNOUNCED 10 7 SEE PAGE 2 FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF THIS ISSue’S CONTENTS. WWW.MASSBAR.ORG VOLUME 21 | NUMBER 8 | APRIL 2014 The marathon between marathons PRESIDENT’S VIEW DOUGLAS K. SHEFF What happened at the Boston Marathon last April was a horrible tragedy. With the next marathon upon us, I want to reflect on what has happened since that fateful day and recognize the inspiring people who have run “the marathon between marathons” along the road to recovery. Who are these people? First and foremost, they are the survivors who have been working hard and retraining every day to overcome their injuries. Some are teaching themselves to walk again. Some are learning to see, hear and feel again. Some are fighting unseen injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Almost all of them are learning what a new normal feels like. There have been many others who have run this race with them. Family members, friends and medical providers have been no less inspiring as they have stood side by side with the survivors throughout the often difficult journey through rehabilitation. The members of the public who I am most proud of how the Massachusetts Bar As- pertise to help survivors through our Marathon Bombing donated so generously and continue to give financial aid sociation has supported the survivors throughout the Victims Legal Assistance Program. for victims and their families long after the marathon also days, weeks and months that followed the blasts. Nearly Members of our legal community volunteered during deserve our gratitude. 90 volunteers have donated their time, resources and ex- the MBA’s two special Dial–A-Lawyer programs 2 DelVecchio, Brownsberger hits the ground running Stevens to be as new chair of judiciary committee of Belmont, Brownsberger has represented 1992, he came honored for BY MIKE VIGNEUX the Second Suffolk and Middlesex District back to his home State Sen. Will Brownsberger began in the Senate since 2012. His district cov- state of Massa- 2014 with a new role when he was ap- ers Back Bay, Fenway, Brighton, Watertown chusetts to serve ‘excellence’ pointed chair of the Joint Committee on the and Belmont, and also includes the south as an assistant Judiciary by Senate President Therese Mur- end of Allston. Brownsberger also served as attorney gen- The Massachusetts Bar Association ray in January. While the chairmanship is a a state representative for the 24th Middlesex eral under Scott will pay tribute to the Hon. Suzanne V. fairly new position for Brownsberger, he is District from 2007 to 2012. Harshbarger. He DelVecchio (ret.) and WBZ NewsRadio certainly no stranger to the Massachusetts After graduating from Harvard College spent five years 1030’s Carl Stevens at the May 1 Excel- legal community, given his diverse legal and Harvard Law School, Brownsberger at the Attorney lence in the Law event, co-presented by background. spent eight years in New York in the finance General’s Office Sen. Will Brownsberger Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. DelVec- A native of Watertown and a resident and software development industries. In as the asset 3 chio has been selected to receive the Dan- iel F. Toomey Excellence in the Judiciary Award and Stevens will be honored with Annual dinner to feature Matthews, the MBA’s Excellence in Legal Journal- ism Award. The annual Excellence in the Law Rep. Bradley and Mayor Walsh event, which will be held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, also features award MBA to honor firms, attorneys who have made significant strides in enhancing access to justice presentations in the following areas: Up The Massachusetts Bar As- literary works, including books & Coming Lawyers, Excellence in Pro sociation (MBA) will hold its profiling some of Massachu- Bono, Paralegal, Marketing and Firm Ad- 2014 Annual Dinner on Thurs- setts’ favorite sons, John F. Ken- ministration. day, May 15, at the Westin Bos- nedy and Tip O’Neill. DelVecchio, now a senior mediator ton Waterfront, 425 Summer In addition, the MBA An- and arbitrator at Commonwealth Media- St., Boston. Chris Matthews, a nual Dinner will include the tion & Conciliation Inc., is a former Supe- highly respected political news presentation of the Legislator of rior Court Chief Justice. As chief justice, commentator who hosts the top- the Year Award to Rep. Garrett DelVecchio implemented the Superior rated “Hardball” program on J. Bradley (D-Hingham), First Court's Business Litigation Session. Her MSNBC, will deliver the key- Division Chair, member of the distinguished career also includes serv- note address. Matthews is also House Rules Committee; the ing as the regional administrative 5 a celebrated author of several President’s Award to 12 2 MASSACHUSETTS LAWYERS JOURNAL | APRIL 2014 PRESIDENT’S VIEW Continued from page 1 immediately after the bombings. They sues, just to name a few. a new race is about to be run. Yet many Volume 21 / No. 8 / April 2014 also provided more lasting assistance Thank you to everyone who volun- marathon bombing survivors still face a EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF MEDIA through pro bono efforts that benefitted teered to help others through our pro- long road ahead. Some may never cross AND COMMUNICATIONS: Jason M. Scally, Esq. 25 individuals injured in the blasts. In gram. As I’ve always said, it speaks a lot the finish line in their quest for a full re- ASSISTANT EDITOR: Kelsey Sadoff addition to filling out One Fund applica- to the character of our profession that at- covery. The MBA will not leave them. tions, many of our attorneys have contin- torneys are the ones there to help long af- Our marathon — our commitment to ASSISTANT EDITOR: Mike Vigneux ued help their clients with related legal ter a tragedy occurs and long after support help people impacted by the bombings — SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER: N. Elyse Lindahl and non-legal matters, including disabil- from others has faded. will never end as long as there are those CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER/ ity, employment, benefits and housing is- Last year’s marathon is over, and who need us. ■ CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL: Martin W. Healy, Esq. LEGAL EDITOR: Martin W. Healy, Esq. DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND OPERATIONS: Lee Ann Constantine Bar Seen PRESIDENT: Douglas K. Sheff, Esq. Snapshots from around the MBA PRESIDENT-ELECT: Marsha V. Kazarosian, Esq. VICE PRESIDENT: Martha Rush O’Mara, Esq. Affiliated Bar News VICE PRESIDENT: Christopher P. Sullivan, Esq. MBA President Douglas K. Sheff spoke at this year’s TREASURER: Robert W. Harnais, Esq. Norfolk County Bar Association Dinner Meeting, SECRETARY: Christopher A. Kenney, Esq. saying that “The MBA is committed to working with © 2014 Massachusetts Bar Association the Norfolk County Bar and every bar to demonstrate that we are not takers, but rather caretakers.” ■ Materials not to be reproduced without permission. From left: Douglas K. Sheff, president of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Judge Mark Coven and Francis X. Bellotti. Lawyers Journal (ISSN 1524-1823) is published monthly by the Massachusetts Bar Association, 20 West St, Boston, MA 02111-1204. Periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA 02205. Bar neWS Postmaster: send address changes to Lawyers Journal, 20 West St., Boston, MA 02111-1204. 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Submit letters and In 2005, while sitting at a Their mission statement is sively Middlesex County, One organization, and they’re look- commentaries to: Editor, Lawyers Journal, at the address Dunkin Donuts with a “very simple: “… to encourage low- Can Help has helped families ing to expand. given above or via email to [email protected], pregnant” teenage client, attor- income, high-risk children and involved with the Depart- Bader-Martin said she’s or fax to (617) 542-7947. ney Anne Bader-Martin found parents involved in the juve- ment of Children and Fami- constantly getting inqui- herself discussing the pregnan- nile court system to get the lies (DCF) and the courts with ries and requests from other cy. Her client knew she wanted help they need to make posi- everything from bus passes to counties but as of yet doesn’t to keep the child and what she tive changes when no other domestic violence counseling. have the resources to step in. A publication of the Massachusetts Bar Association wanted most was a stroller, but funds are available from state Bader-Martin stressed: “What They’re also looking to form she knew she couldn’t afford agencies.” And that’s exactly we’re able to do is individu- a legal advisory committee, one. After a few minutes of what they do. alize the grants we give. We something MBA members conversation, another patron “Our system allows us to don’t give everybody gloves or may be interested in. at the donut shop handed at- use programs and individuals everybody this and that, when For more information The Warren Group torney Bader-Martin and her already in existence so we someone applies they say what about One Can Help, visit DESIGN / PRODUCTION / ADVERTISING client a blank check for $175.