The Clearinghouse Welcomes New Board Members
The Clearinghouse is pleased to announce the addition of five attorneys to its board of directors.
- Nancy Blueweiss, Massachusetts Housing Partnership
- Leslie Cook, Chicago Title Insurance Company
- George Mykulak, WilmerHale LLP
- Kathleen Phelps, Bingham McCutchen LLP
- Christian Rivera, Brown Rudnick LLP
The following members were elected to serve as officers:
- Kurt James – President
- Douglas Henry – Vice-President
- Ben Tymann – Treasurer
- Maribeth Perry – Clerk
Lawyers Clearinghouse Celebrates 20 Years
The Lawyers Clearinghouse celebrated its 20th anniversary in June at a reception hosted by Goulston & Storrs. Co-founder and former president of the board, David Abromowitz, welcomed the capacity crowd and congratulated the Clearinghouse on its 20 years of accomplishments.
Kristine McDonald of Brockton Interfaith Community thanked the many pro bono attorneys and their firms who provided pro bono representation to the group in their quest to build affordable homes for working families in Brockton. Awards were presented to Foley Hoag LLP; Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP; Bingham McCutchen LLP; and DLA Piper US LLP.
Board president, Jeffrey Sacks, introduced guest speaker Rep. Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, who spoke on a range of issues including the changing climate in Congress to address the mortgage crisis and a number of initiatives on which he and his colleagues are currently working.
Following Rep. Frank’s comments, board members Douglas Henry and Cindy Rowe presented Stephen Nolan, a board member and past president, with the Clearinghouse’s Leadership Award. Steve had everyone smiling as he described his many years of involvement with the Lawyers Clearinghouse and his extended term as its president. He praised the agency’s recent accomplishments and looked forward to staying active on the board.
Pro Bono Superstar – Fred Gilman
Frederick Gilman of Lynch, DeSimone & Nylen, LLP, joined the Lawyers Clearinghouse pro bono panel in 2007. Although he considered retirement from his successful business practice, he did not want to withdraw from the practice entirely. As a result, he contacted the Boston Bar Association’s Paul Dullea to seek pro bono opportunities through the BBA Business Law Pro Bono Project. Since then, Fred has become one of the heaviest hitters of our pro bono projects.
The first case he took was a contract and dispute resolution matter representing a Massachusetts chapter of the US-wide association of Chinese pharmaceutical professionals. He successfully disentangled a sometimes emotional dispute between the parties concerned, organized an independent nonprofit entity, and successfully obtained nonprofit status for the Massachusetts group. The new nonprofit so deeply appreciated Fred’s dedicated services to them that they requested that he remain with the nonprofit group as their general counsel, to which he agreed. The nonprofit invited him and Mrs. Gilman to their annual event to honor his services to the organization.
Fred also represented the advisory committee of a Boston co-op to negotiate with its board regarding its policies and practices that were negatively affecting the residents.
In addition to these cases, Fred assisted a legal services organization; a nonprofit start-up group that publicizes the causes of poverty and the plight of the poor; and a 501c3 that provides services to the Hispanic population in Boston area. Just recently, he agreed to take on a contract dispute involving two long-established nonprofits with the goal of an amicable resolution for both parties.
Fred is one of a few semi-retired lawyers on our panel who very effectively utilize their skills and experience to help those in need, and to inspire others. Given the wonderful partnership we developed with Fred, the Clearinghouse hopes to have more lawyers like him join our panel. According to Fred, these efforts are more rewarding – and more fun – than one can imagine.
In recognition of his extraordinary commitment to pro bono work, Fred is our Pro Bono Superstar. We appreciate his help and support.
