The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services (Committee) presents the Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards (Adams Awards) each year. Named for attorneys John Adams and John Quincy Adams, the Adams Awards honor Massachusetts lawyers, law students, law firms, and legal organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to providing pro bono services for the benefit of individuals of limited means. Award recipients will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony at 4 p.m. on October 26, 2021.

Each year, individuals and organizations from Massachusetts contribute thousands of hours of pro bono service to clients and causes across the Commonwealth, the country, and the world.  The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) and its Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services applaud those efforts and celebrate them annually through the SJC Pro Bono Honor Roll Program.

The SJC Pro Bono Honor Roll Program includes an Honor Roll and a High Honor Roll for individual attorneys, as well as Honor Rolls for legal organizations and for law students.  Honorees are recognized each fall in ceremonies at the John Adams Courthouse and on the SJC’s website, and they receive certifications acknowledging their commitment to pro bono service.