Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association

MBLA activities are organized and managed by its standing Committees, which include the Community Service Committee, Law Student Outreach Committee, Legislative Activity Committee, Endorsement Committee, Events Committee, Communication Committee, and Membership Committee. For more information on how to join an MBLA Committee and participate in its activities, contact one of the Committee Chairs or Co-chairs listed below:

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE:

Chair: Nikiki Bogle  Email:  nbogle@massblacklawyers.org

LAW STUDENT OUTREACH COMMITTEE

Chair:  Douglas Martin  Email:  Douglas.Martin@state.ma.us

Co-chair:  Angel Kelley  Email:  akelley@law.harvard.edu

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair:  Robert Cooper  Email:  bcooper@oneunited.com

ENDORSEMENT COMMITTEE 

Chair:  Angel Kelley  Email:  akelley@law.harvard.edu

ANNUAL GALA COMMITTEE

Chair:  Damon P. Hart  Email:  damon.hart@hklaw.com

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 

Chair:

JOB OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE

Chair:

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE

Chair:

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY COMITTEE

Chair:

EVENTS COMMITTEE

Chair:

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Chair:

Communications Committee
The Communications Committee manages and oversees the dissemination of information regarding MBLA activities to the membership, the legal community, and the general public. Among its activities are production and distribution of the MBLA News, maintenance of the MBLA website, distribution of e-mails to MBLA members, and oversight and editing of MBLA contributions to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

This committee is in charge of monitoring submissions of the MBLA Law Student Scholarship, which will be presented to a local area law student at the MBLA Annual Gala Dinner.  The committee welcomes volunteers and any ideas or concerns our members and law students may have relating to their professional development.

Community Service Committee
The Community Service Committee organizes events and programs that allow MBLA members to provide law-related as well as non-law-related services to the black community and the community at large.  In particular, the Community Service Committee has sponsored legal workshops to educate black communities about legal issues that arise in everyday life, such as issues relating to criminal defense, knowing your constitutional rights, immigration and naturalization law, employment law, and small business law.

Job Opportunities Committee
The Job Opportunities Committee creates links to various organizations to search for professional opportunities, particularly with employers reaching out to the black community.  We reach out to law firms, government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, etc. to get job announcements from employers seeking a diverse work force to place on MBLA website. 

Professional Development Committee
This committee coordinates CLE programs of career presentations on various topics that keep our members abreast of latest legal developments and different practice areas.  It provides networking and educational activities that may address the professional concerns of our membership.  The Committee welcomes volunteers and any ideas or concerns members and law students may have relating to their professional development.

Law Student Outreach Committee
The Law Student Outreach Committee conducts law student outreach to area law students through The Black Law Students Association (BLSA).  It consists of the Law Student Mentoring Program in order for students to have an opportunity to have a mentor who is a practicing lawyer.  It provides law students with an opportunity to learn about areas of legal practice that they might be interested in upon graduation from law school as well as a resource link to the legal community as a whole.  It provides practicing lawyers with a chance to provide invaluable anchor service to our future lawyers in the black legal community.  Second, it keeps in regular contact with area law schools regarding orientation events, and co-sponsor events with BLSA.

Legislative Activity Committee
The Legislative Advocacy Committee evaluates requests for MBLA support of legislation and amicus briefs and works, often in coalition, to promote and advance issues of interest to the black lawyers bar and the black community. Recent issues of interest have included the need to have more diversity in the jury pool in criminal cases and expand interpreter services for non-English speakers in the state courts.

Endorsement Committee
The Endorsements Committee evaluates requests for endorsements of judicial candidates and recommends whether to provide such an endorsement. The Committee also identifies and recommends MBLA members for service on bar association committees, task forces, commissions, and other boards relating to the legal profession.

Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible for soliciting new members as well as maintaining and updating membership information. The committee coordinates events with the law student outreach committee to ensure that the MBLA has a booth at law school and area events.  It distributes brochures and other information to potential members.  This committee is responsible for creating the MBLA DIRECTORY of our members and practicing areas.  It produces and distributes the MBLA Legal Directory. 

Events Committee
The Events Committee plans Formal Social Events to bring MBLA members together and recognize black lawyers doing outstanding things in the legal community. The committee also co-sponsors events with other bar associations including the MBWA, WBA, BBA and MBA.  These events include the annual MBLA Annual Gala and the midterm Annual Benefit Dinner, Kwanzaa, Black History Month Event, Women’s History Month Event.  The committee updates the communications committee on potential events to co-sponsor with various bar associations and other organizations.

Social Networking Committee
The Social Networking Committee plans social events with informal networking opportunities to bring MBLA members together.  The committee also joins and co-sponsors events with other minority professionals in Massachusetts.  These events include Scullers Jazz Club, museum of fine arts, cocktail parties, wine tastings, barbecues, baseball games, tennis, holiday parties, plays, symphony and dining at restaurants.