The Adams Benefit
Each year the John & Abigail Adams Benefit welcomes over 1,000 guests for an extraordinary evening benefiting the Boston Bar Foundation. The one-of-a kind event is held at the Museum of Fine Arts, and helps support the work of the BBF in its mission to facilitate access to justice for the underserved, fund and promote innovation in the delivery of legal services and support impactful public service projects & pro bono work by lawyers in our community.
About the Event
The 2025 Adams Benefit took place on Saturday, April 5th at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Attendees enjoyed magnificent art, live entertainment and music, special performances, and gourmet food and drinks. The signature fundraising event of the Boston Bar Foundation, the Adams Benefit is one of the largest events of the Boston legal community, welcoming more than 1,000 attendees annually to support the work of the BBF in our community.
Late Night at the Museum
Part of the Adams Benefit, Late Night at the Museum is an event that brings together law students and newer lawyers to meet, dine and dance and as they get to know each other and begin to lay the groundwork for successful careers in the law.
About the BBF
The Boston Bar Foundation serves as a beacon of the legal community’s enduring commitment to enhancing the lives of the most underserved individuals in our community. Through a dynamic granting program, the BBF works to serve the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community, including domestic violence survivors, immigrants, prisoners, workers, veterans, children and families.
As the charitable affiliate of the Boston Bar Association, the BBF supports projects and programs dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession, strengthening leadership development opportunities for young lawyers and engaging lawyers in serving our community.
2025 Richard A. Soden Public Service Award: Ruth Ellen Fitch
Ruth Ellen Fitch has had a diverse career in public education/integration, law, and non-profit leadership. In addition to her previous roles as an Associate, and later Partner, at Palmer & Dodge, and CEO/President of the Dimock Community Health Center, she has held senior roles in several local non-profits, including The Boston Public Health Commission, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, The Ludcke and Grimes King Foundations, Roxbury Community College, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, and the Women’s Crittenden Union.
Ruth Ellen has devoted much of her career to helping others overcome social and economic obstacles so they, too, may achieve a life of fulfillment and dignity,” said Boston Bar Foundation President Megan Gates. “Her dedication to creating opportunities for those in need should serve as inspiration to us all, and it is our honor to recognize that work before her peers and colleagues throughout the Greater Boston legal community.
Ruth Ellen has received numerous awards for her commitment to public service and the legal profession, including the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award for Achievement in the Legal Profession, the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association Trailblazer Award, and the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston’s Woman of Achievement Award.
History of the Richard A. Soden Public Service Award
The Adams Benefit Public Service Award is given annually to business or civic leaders who have shown exemplary leadership in community service and philanthropy and whose work aligns with the BBF’s mission to promote justice by funding and promoting innovation in legal services, enhancing access to justice for the underserved, and supporting the public interest activities of the bar. In 2024, the award was renamed in honor of former BBA and BBF President Richard A. Soden. Learn more.
Past Honorees
2024
Paul W. Lee
2023
Fletcher (Flash) & Benaree (Benny) Wiley
2022
Damian Wilmont, SVP, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Vertex
2021
Chief Justice Ralph Gants
2020
Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank
2019
Diane B. Patrick
2018
Hon. Nonnie and Richard Burnes
2017
Chief Justice Margaret Marshall
2016
Roca
2015
John Hancock
2014
Thomas M. Menino
2013
Carol N. Fulp
2012
Paul S. Grogan
2011
John Fish
2010
Citizens Bank
2008-2009
James G. Keefe and Patrick A.T. Lee, President and Vice President of Trinity Financial
2007
Paul Guzzi, President & Chief Executive Officer Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
2006
Jack Connors, Jr., Chairman of Hill Holliday Connors and Cosmopulos
2005
The Boston Red Sox & the Boston Red Sox Foundation
2004
William C. Van Faasen, Chairman and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
2003
Edward C. Johnson, III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Investments
2002
Jeffrey Swartz, President and CEO of Timberland
2001
Teresa Heinz, Chair, Heinz Family Philanthropies
Sponsors
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors
Thank you to our Gold Sponsor
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors
Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors
Thank you to our Participating Sponsors
Thank you to our Contributing Sponsors
Thank you to our Champion Ticket Holders
Christopher G. Clark, Matthew V.P McTygue
Thank you to our Patron Ticket Holders
Keefe & Jana Clemons, Jason C. Gish, Sara K. Frank, Choate, Hall & Stewart, Renat V. Lumpau, Choate, Hall & Stewart, Kyle Munns, Choate, Hall & Stewart, Natalia Smychkovich, Choate, Hall & Stewart, Daniel Refael Woods, Choate Hall & Stewart
For questions about sponsoring the Adams Benefit, contact Emily Foster at efoster@bostonbar.org.
2025 Photo Highlights
