Estate Planning News

Committee To Present Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards

In recognition of outstanding commitment in providing volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged in Massachusetts, Supreme Judicial Court Justice Francis X. Spina, on behalf of the SJC Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, will present the fifth annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards to four recipients at a ceremony in the John Adams Courthouse on Tuesday, June 6 at 5:00 p.m.

The recipients are the Springfield law firm of Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow, P.C.; Attorney Samuel B. Moskowitz of Newton, who practices in the law firm of Davis, Malm & D’Agostine, P.C. in Boston; and Attorney Marion E. Broidrick of South Yarmouth, presently Second Assistant Clerk-Magistrate of the Barnstable District Court, and Attorney Lawrence A. Zalis of West Barnstable, a sole practitioner, for their work on behalf of the Barnstable Action for New Directions (BAND) Program of the Barnstable District Court Drug Court.
 
Justice Spina said, “The recipients have all made wonderful contributions to the practice of law as envisioned by SJC Rule 6.1.”

The Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services works to promote volunteer legal work in Massachusetts to help people of limited means in need of legal representation, in accordance with SJC Rule 6.1. The awards are named in honor of Attorneys John Adams and John Quincy Adams.
 
The law firm of Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow, P.C. is honored for its dedication to assisting low-income litigants. Among the firm’s varied pro bono activities is the Hampden County Pro Bono Housing Project, launched by partner Suzanne Garrow in conjunction with the Western Massachusetts Committee of the Women’s Bar Association. Firm attorneys have spearheaded the effort to ensure that, on a weekly basis, volunteer attorneys are available to assist self-represented litigants. In addition to litigating and mediating cases, the firm has hosted training for lawyers volunteering for the Project. Since its inception, the Project has represented more than eighty clients before the Western Division of the Housing Court. Firm members also take pro bono assignments on a regular basis from local legal services agencies, the Massachusetts Justice Project, the HIV/Aids Law Consortium, the Salvation Army’s Housing Project in Hampshire County, and the Housing Discrimination Project in Holyoke. Read more at mass.gov

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	Did You Know?
	A "Family Limited Partnership" can be used to own and manage your property In a similar manner to a Trust, but allowing additional tax planning techniques to be employed. Family Limited Partnerships are typically used for those who have large estates and thus have a need for specialized estate planning in order to minimize federal and state estate/death/inheritance taxes as well as provide elements of asset protection.