The BBA's Annual Celebration Honoring Community Champions
Spirit of the Bar
Event Details
Thursday, September 24, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fairmont Copley Plaza
138 St James Avenue, Boston, MA
An unforgettable evening celebrating the people and values that define Boston’s legal community: service, leadership, inclusion, and community.
Why Spirit of the Bar
For generations, the BBA’s Annual Meeting brought members together to conduct Association business while recognizing outstanding leadership, service, and contributions to the legal profession. As the event grew into the Association’s signature gathering, its name changed to reflect its broader purpose.
Today, Spirit of the Bar honors that tradition while celebrating the lawyers, judges, legal professionals, civic leaders, and organizations whose integrity, dedication, and commitment to justice strengthen our profession and our community.
The Honorees
The Haskell Cohn Award
Justice Stephen Breyer
A jurist with deep Massachusetts roots, Justice Breyer is recognized for his decades of public service, judicial leadership, and enduring contributions to the law and the administration of justice.
The Thurgood Marshall Award
Through its longstanding commitment to pro bono service, civic engagement, and expanding opportunity, MassMutual is recognized with the Thurgood Marshall Award for its leadership in advancing justice and strengthening communities.
The John G. Brooks Legal Services Award
Through its innovative Homeless Court program and longstanding partnership with the legal community, Pine Street Inn has helped connect individuals experiencing homelessness with the legal support and resources they need to move toward greater stability.
Table Sponsorship
For more information about sponsoring the event, please reach out to [email protected].
Thank You to Our Visionary Sponsors
Thank You to Our Innovator Sponsors
Thank You to Our Public Interest Sponsor
Steering Committee
 Co-Chair: Edwina Clarke Zimmer, Citron & Clarke |  Co-Chair: James P. Dowden Ropes and Gray LLP | |||
Jordan Bock Goodwin Procter William Brady Holland & Knight Joseph M. Cacace Todd & Weld Aloke S. Chakravarty Saul Ewing Jed DeWick Arrowood Joshua Goldstein Choate, Hall & Stewart | Vaishali Goyal Goulston & Storrs Mia R. Harris Sidley Austin Noah J. Kaufman Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Lyndsey M. Kruzer Cooley Michael T. Packard Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP David Rangaviz Masferrer & RileyBlair M. Rinne Brown Rudnick | Ryan M. Rosenblatt Sullivan & Worcester Michael J. Rossi Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford B. Stephanie Siegmann Hinckley, Allen & Snyder David C. Tolley Latham & Watkins Brett Walker Haynes Boone Kate Wallace Jones Day |
