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WBF PRESIDENT WICHERS RECEIVES ADAMS PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARD Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services Recognizes Christine Wichers’ Commitment to Pro Bono Work
(Boston) June 9, 2008 - The Women's Bar Foundation is pleased to congratulate WBF President Christine J. Wichers, who has been honored by the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services as a recipient of the Adams Pro Bono Publico Award. This award, now in its seventh year, is given to recognize outstanding commitment to the representation of the disadvantaged in the Commonwealth. This year’s ceremony, which took place on June 4, 2008 at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston, highlighted the contributions of five extraordinary attorneys.
Wichers, a partner in the Boston office of Choate Hall & Stewart, has a longstanding record of volunteering to give a voice to those who most need legal representation. This commitment is evident in her work as President of the WBF, in which she shows leadership, tireless advocacy and an unparalleled dedication to the principles of justice. The John Adams Pro Bono Publico Award gave special attention to a case that Wichers and co-honoree Lisa Gaulin took on through the Women’s Bar Foundation Family Law Project for Battered Women in 2004. Over the past four years, they spent more than 1700 hours representing Humaira Niazi, originally of Pakistan, in navigating complex child custody issues, giving her the right to see her children after years of separation. Not only did their work reunite Ms. Niazi with her children, but it also provided the children the chance to attend school – an opportunity they would not have had otherwise.
Kathy Jo Cook, President of the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts, the sister organization of the WBF, remarked, "I am so thrilled that Christine's work has been recognized in this way. Christine is not only a highly skilled advocate, but she is a true leader and example to all members of the bar. Each year, she devotes countless hours and energy to provide pro bono services to poor and underrepresented individuals. The WBA is proud to count Christine Wichers as a friend in the pursuit of a just society."
Wichers, who specializes in labor and employment law at Choate Hall & Stewart, is an accomplished litigator and valued business counselor. In addition to the Adams Pro Bono Publico Award, she was also the recipient of the Women's Bar Foundation 2004 Pro Bono Award.
Other 2008 recipients of this honor were: John G. Dugan, Edward Notis-McConarty, Francis J. (Jay) Lynch III and Lisa M. Gaulin.
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