Since its founding in 1941, Sullivan & Worcester LLP has built its reputation as a leading Boston law firm by pairing sophisticated legal counsel with a deep commitment to the community it serves. From its earliest days, the firm has viewed public service as central to its mission, ensuring that pro bono advocacy, community partnerships, and diversity initiatives are integral parts of its culture.
A Strong Pro Bono Tradition
Pro bono service is woven into the fabric of Sullivan & Worcester. Attorneys at all levels are encouraged to devote their skills to public interest matters. Associates are given full credit for pro bono hours, and the firm maintains a structure that allows lawyers to engage in both existing projects and new initiatives of their own design. This culture has resulted in meaningful partnerships and long-standing service to some of Boston’s most impactful nonprofits.
Supporting Education and Opportunity
For more than four decades, Sullivan & Worcester has partnered with College Bound Dorchester, Inc., a nonprofit that provides pathways to higher education for students in underserved communities. The firm has provided comprehensive legal counsel to help the organization grow its reach and impact. Similarly, Sullivan & Worcester has been a long-time supporter of the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester, offering both legal assistance and broader community engagement to advance educational access.
Standing Up for Equality and Civil Rights
The firm has also played an important role in advancing civil rights. Sullivan & Worcester attorneys have partnered with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), serving as tax counsel in groundbreaking litigation challenging the Defense of Marriage Act. Their work reflects a broader commitment to equity and justice, extending beyond the courtroom and into the community.
Recent Engagements and Diversity Initiatives
In recent years, the firm has expanded its focus on diversity and inclusion with the launch of the 1L Diversity Transactional Summer Program, a fellowship that provides first-year law students from underrepresented backgrounds with hands-on experience in transactional practice. Sullivan & Worcester also continues to provide pro bono services to organizations such as Greater Boston Legal Services and the Immigrant Learning Center, strengthening access to justice for low-income and immigrant communities.
Sustained Commitment to Service
What distinguishes Sullivan & Worcester is the continuity of its service. Rather than treating pro bono as an occasional obligation, the firm has cultivated decades-long relationships with community partners, helping them grow, adapt, and thrive. Its lawyers are as proud of their courtroom victories on behalf of underserved clients as they are of their corporate and financial successes.
At its heart, Sullivan & Worcester exemplifies what it means to be a Boston law firm rooted in community. By investing in education, defending civil rights, supporting access to justice, and mentoring the next generation of diverse lawyers, the firm has shown that its greatest legacy is not only in the deals it closes or the cases it wins, but in the communities it helps to strengthen.
