The 2024 Boston Bar Association
Annual Meeting
The 2024 BBA Annual Meeting was an evening of inspiration, celebrating the power of community and the stories of those who have made a profound impact through their pro bono and public service work.
At “Voices of the Bar,” we honored the trailblazers who received the BBA’s John G. Brooks Legal Service Award, Thurgood Marshall Award, Distinguished Legislator Award, and inaugural Mary K. Ryan Achievement in Pro Bono Awards. This event reflected the remarkable achievements of these attorneys and served as a tribute to the dedication and profound contributions of Boston’s legal community.
More than just an awards ceremony, Voices of the Bar was an uplifting celebration of community spirit. Attendees enjoyed engaging conversations with fellow guests at the reception, inspiring award presentations, and lively networking at the hosted bars. The extraordinary work of the honorees was showcased throughout the event, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
It was a night where the true spirit of the legal profession shone brightly!
The 2024 Honorees
The Distinguished Legislator Award
Representative Ruth B. Balser
Over the last two decades, Rep. Balser has been the House’s leading voice in support of MLAC funding – and an invaluable legislative partner to the BBA and the Equal Justice Coalition in our advocacy efforts for this appropriation at the annual Walk to the Hill event every winter.
The Thurgood Marshall Award
Susan M. Finegan
As chair of Mintz’s Pro Bono Committee, Sue leads groundbreaking cases and manages pro bono matters for the firm, consisting of over 300 varied cases annually throughout all of the firm’s offices.
The John G. Brooks Legal Services Award
Annette Duke
Annette Duke is a senior housing staff attorney with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI). She specializes in tenants’ rights, public housing, and court reform, with a focus on promoting housing justice, stopping displacement, and preventing homelessness through multi-pronged, collaborative, community-driven advocacy.
The Mary K. Ryan Achievement in Pro Bono Awards
The Boston Bar Association was proud to present the inaugural Mary K. Ryan Achievement in Pro Bono Awards to the following individuals who embody Mary’s legacy as a dedicated advocate and champion of legal aid and pro bono work.
Ritika Bhakhri, Nutter, for her dedication to pro bono work throughout her career, with a focus on immigration law and advocacy for immigrant communities.
Kate Billman-Golemme, KCBG Law, for her commitment to providing legal services to underserved populations, including establishing a solo practice to serve low- to moderate-income tenants with a significant focus on pro bono clients.
Professor Constance A. Browne, Boston University, for her longstanding work in advancing social justice and training the next generation of pro bono practitioners through both the Civil Litigation Program and the Employment Rights Clinic of BU Law.
Maegan L. Hurley, Massachusetts Debt Relief Foundation, for her extensive representation of low-income clients in over 420 Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases and facilitating over $13 million in debt discharge for her clients.
Anthony Mirenda, Foley Hoag, for his steadfast commitment to pro bono work, including advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through the Foley Hoag Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevent program he helped found 35 years ago.
Nigel Tamton, Skadden, for dedicating thousands of hours to pro bono work over nine years, including a specific focus toward securing the release of an individual wrongfully convicted of murder.
Al Wallis, Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest, for his remarkable career-long commitment to pro bono, leading efforts to enhance public interest law and pro bono engagement within the firm.
Steering Committee
Co-Chair |
|
Co-Chair |
Allison Ahern Fillo |
Rebecca Cazabon |
Chris Clark |
David Ferrera |
Maria Laccotripe Zacharakis |
Matt Lawlor |
Rolando Medina |
Kirsten Patzer |
Katherine Perrelli |
Nicole Phe |
Barbara Trachtenberg |
George Varghese |
