Criteria

The WBA seeks to honor women attorneys who have achieved professional excellence AND have:

Influenced other women to pursue legal careers; OR
Opened doors for women lawyers in a variety of job settings that were historically closed to them; OR
Advanced opportunities for women within a practice area or segment of the profession; OR
Performed exemplary public service on behalf of women.

Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services will select awardees from among those who have excelled in providing volunteer services in one or more of the following ways:

1.  Volunteer participation in an activity or pro bono program which resulted in satisfying previously unmet needs or in extending services to underserved segments of the population; 2.  Successfully litigated pro bono cases that favorably affected the provision of other services to the poor;3.  Successfully achieved legislation that contributed substantially to legal services to the poor.

July

Lawyers will be considered who have devoted their careers to serving the public interest and pursuing justice, and whose work has brought about positive change in the community, state, or nation.

Nominations should highlight these nominee qualities:

Courage Under Fire: Maintains a dedication to service even when challenged or threatened by individuals or groups.

Champions the Cause: Pursues service with energy and compassion.

Leader of Change: Creates new or innovative approaches to resolving social problems.

Career of Service: Has spent the majority of his or her legal career in service to public interests.

1. Make a positive difference in the lives of girls and young women; 2. Make significant contributions in the fields of mental health, physical health, education or youth development, with particular emphasis on issues of child abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders, substance abuse, aggression or fire setting; 3. Contribute time or other resources in order to help young women achieve their potential; and/or 4. Are prominent in their field, or “quiet heroines” who receive little credit for their efforts. 

The award recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of women lawyers. The award honors five outstanding women lawyers who have achieved professional excellence within their area of specialty and have actively paved the way to success for other women lawyers. These women demonstrate excellence in a variety of professional settings and personify excellence on either the national, regional, or local level. The criteria for the award are:

The individual achieved professional excellence in her field AND Influenced other women to pursue legal careers, OR Opened doors for women lawyers in a variety of job settings that were historically closed to them, OR Advanced opportunities for women within a practice area or segment of the profession.

Five categories:

Legal Services Award:  Employed by public/non-profit agency to provide services to low-income clients and has contributed above and beyond the requirements of his/her position. 

Pro Bono Award for Law Firms:  Must be law firm in MA with 2 or more attorneys which pro bono activity are significant, meaningful or has been instrumental in developing, implementing and/or supporting pro bono program/services within MA. 

Pro Bono Publico Award:  Has been instrumental in developing, implementing and supporting pro bono programs for the MBA, local county bar association or law firm or has developed a pro bono program sponsored or organized through an agency in MA or has performed significant, meaningful pro bono activity.

Prosecutor Award:  State/federal prosecutor who has distinguished him/herself in public service and commitment to justice and serving the communities where he/she lives or works