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
Ilana Gelfman, Esq., Chair
SJC Judicial Liaison: Hon. Elizabeth N. Dewar, Associate Justice, Supreme Judicial Court
Akousa Agyepong, Esq.
Dick Bauer, Esq.
Vali Buland, Esq.
John Carroll, Esq.
Pavitra R. Chari
Nickeisha Davidson, Esq.
Rochelle Jones, Esq.
Samuel Moskowitz, Esq.
Rosalyn Garbose Nasdor, Esq.
Meredith Palmer, Esq.
Courtney Pitta, Esq.
Brian Reichart, Esq.
Anant Saraswat, Esq.
Deborah Silva, Esq.
Carlos Teuscher, Esq.
SJC Liaison: Chip Phinney, Chief Counsel for Judicial Policy, Supreme Judicial Court
Updated December 2025