2016 Reception

The 2016 Beacon of Justice Awards Reception was held Wednesday, March 23 at the Grand Staircase in the State House at 6 pm. Justice Robert Cordy of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and Attorney General Maura Healey received Champion of Justice Awards.  Representatives Claire Cronin, Paul Donato, and Brad Hill, and Senators Harriette Chandler and Karen Spilka received Beacon of Justice Awards.

2015 Reception

On January 12, six legislators were honored for their support of civil legal aid. House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Stan Rosenberg, State Rep. Ruth Balser, and State Sen. Will Brownsberger were presented with Beacon of Justice awards for their outstanding support of state funding for civil legal aid through MLAC. State Rep. John Fernandes and State Sen. James Welch were also honored with Supporter of Justice Awards for their participation on the Boston Bar Association’s Statewide Task Force to Expand Civil Legal Aid in Massachusetts. See photos from the event at right and read our press release about the event here.

2014 Reception

On February 26, six current and former legislators were honored for their outstanding support of access to justice for low-income Massachusetts residents with critical civil legal problems. Among the honorees are the recipients of the Beacon of Justice and Champion of Justice awards. View photos and see the full list of honorees on our Facebook page.

Read the press release

2011 Reception

On the evening of December 1, the following five legislators were honored with the Beacon of Justice Award at the 7th Legislative Recognition Reception at Davis, Malm & D’Agostine. They were selected for their outstanding support of providing access to justice for low-income Massachusetts residents with critical civil legal problems:

Senator Stephen M. Brewer
– Chair, Senate Ways & Means

Senator Cynthia Stone Creem
– Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee

Representative Brian S. Dempsey
– Chair, House Ways & Means

Representative Patricia A. Haddad
– Speaker Pro Tempore

Steven A. Tolman
– Former Senator & President, AFL-CIO

2009 Reception

The Equal Justice Coalition honored six Massachusetts legislators with the Beacon of Justice award for their outstanding commitment to civil legal aid during the FY10 legislative campaign. The event was held on November 17, 2009, at WilmerHale. The awards were presented by former legal aid clients and community representatives from the legislators’ districts. Hon. John M. Greaney, retired associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, served as the master of ceremonies.

The honorees were: House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop), Rep. Charles A. Murphy (D-Burlington), Rep. Eugene L. O’Flaherty (D-Chelsea), Sen. Steven C. Panagiotakos (D-Lowell), Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), and Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville).

View photos from the event here and read the press release here.