Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services

The committee works to promote volunteer legal work in Massachusetts to help people of limited means who are in need of legal representation.

Established in August 1999, the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services works to promote volunteer legal work to help people of limited means who are in need of legal representation, in accordance with Rule 6.1, Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service ("for the public good"), of the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct (Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:07).

The Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services administers both the Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards Program and the Pro Bono Honor Roll. The Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards Program seeks to identify and honor lawyers, law students, law firms, and other legal organizations who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to providing volunteer legal services to people in need. The Pro Bono Honor Roll acknowledges the outstanding commitment to pro bono legal work by lawyers, law firms, and other legal organizations that certify that they have performed a minimum number of hours of approved pro bono services during the previous calendar year, and law students who have done so during their law school careers.

The Committee also works with law schools, bar associations, and other stakeholders to encourage pro bono service throughout the Commonwealth.

Committee Members

Ariel Clemmer, Esq., Chair

Dick Bauer, Esq.

Nickeisha Davidson, Esq. 

Shaneka Davis, Esq.

Felicia Ellsworth, Esq.

Victoria Gautney, Esq.

Ilana Gelfman, Esq., Vice Chair

Carolyn Goodwin, Esq.

Geraldine Gruvis-Pizarro, Esq.

Jameel Moore, Esq.

Samuel Moskowitz, Esq.

Rosalyn Garbose Nasdor, Esq. 

Seth Orkand, Esq.

Courtney Pitta, Esq.

Gordon P. Shaw, Esq.

Carlos Teuscher, Esq.

SJC Liaison: Chip Phinney, Deputy Legal Counsel, Supreme Judicial Court

Updated January 2024

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