Awards & Recognition
Firm:
In 2007, the firm received the first annual Reproductive Freedom Award from the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts, Massachusetts NARAL/Pro-Choice Massachusetts and Tapestry Health Systems, Inc. and a National Legal Aid and Defenders Association (NLADA) Beacon of Justice Award.
Thomas Lesser
Boston Magazine "Super Lawyer" designation in the field of plaintiff's personal injury; Selection for inclusion in National Directory of Criminal Lawyers, Third Edition (one of 24 lawyers selected in Massachusetts).
William C. Newman:
Boston Bar Association President's Award, 2007; Southern Center for Human Rights, Human Rights Award, 2007; Committee for Public Counsel Services Thurgood Marshall Award, 2005; Boston Magazine "Super Lawyer" designation in the field of civil rights law, 2005 - present; W.F.C.R. Special Recognition for service as President of the Friend's Association, 2003; Northampton Center for Children and Families; Ellen Sedlis Good Works Award, 2001; Community Service Award, Massachusetts Bar Association, 1988; Special Recognition, Western Massachusetts Legal Services, Inc., 1990 (upon completion of six terms as Board President) and 2006 (for 25 years of service on Board); Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty Special Recognition (for achieving post-conviction relief in Georgia death penalty case), 1992; Selected for Inclusion, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Law, 1996. Martindale-Hubbell rating AV.
Merry L. Nasser:
Community Service Award, MBA, 2000; Boston Magazine "Super Lawyer" designation in the field of Family Law, 2005-06, 2008.
Teaching
Thomas Lesser
Instructor, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (M.C.L.E.) courses on Courtroom Technology, Personal Injury Law and Criminal Law; Instructor at US District Court seminar on Criminal Law; Instructor, Western New England College School of Law Prison Law Clinic.
William C. Newman:
Smith College School for Social Work, Adjunct Faculty, Social Justice & The Law (2008); Adjunct Professor, Western New England College School of Law, Prisoners Clinic (Summers, 1981-82); Panelist, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (M.C.L.E.) Municipal Law Conference (2007); Guest Teacher/Lecturer for classes at Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, University of Massachusetts, Hampshire College, and Harvard; Holyoke, Springfield Technical and Greenfield Community Colleges, Elms College, Northeastern, and Suffolk University and Western New England College Schools of Law, and area high schools and religious institutions; M.C.A.D.; and at various conferences on the First Amendment, the death penalty, anti-discrimination laws, and other topics. Panelist on judicial, legislative and executive response to 09/11/01, for the Boston Bar Association (June 2002), City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association (August 2002), Massachusetts Bar Association Annual Meeting on Judicial Response to 09/11/01 (January 2002), Northampton "Town Meeting" (February 2002), and World Fellowship Center (July 2002). Instructor at M.C.L.E. courses on Discrimination, Labor Law, Advocacy in Criminal Sentencing (1990), the First Amendment in the Classroom (1988), Harvard Law School week-long trial practice course (1987); University of Massachusetts Labor Relations and Research Center (arbitration trainings for union stewards); Moderator, symposium on Juveniles in Court (1980); Panelist, Lawyers Symposium on District Court practice (1981); Instructor at other trial practice seminars.
Merry L. Nasser:
Adjunct Professor of Law, Western New England College/School of Law, 1981-86; Adjunct Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Legal Studies Department, 1978-80.