The Lawyers Clearinghouse celebrated its 26th anniversary on June 12 with over 150 guests at the Boston office of Nixon Peabody, raising over $90,000 thanks to the generosity of law firms, corporations, and individual donors.
Meeting attendees were joined by guest speaker Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts, and honoree Amy Anthony, President and Chief Executive Officer of Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH).
After an introduction from Nancy Blueweiss, Vice President of the Clearinghouse Board of Directors, attendees heard remarks from Dukakis, a long-time supporter of affordable housing and community development efforts in the Commonwealth. He praised Anthony, who served as the Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Communities and Development during his time as governor, attributing his administration’s successes with the community in part to Anthony’s leadership and commitment.
Dukakis also called for an increase in affordable housing throughout Massachusetts, while acknowledging the hard work done by many in the audience, who represented law firms and community organizations.
“This city has come a long, long way, and it’s the result of the combined work of so many of you, who care a great deal about this state, about this community, and work your heads off to make it a better place,” he said.
Event Co-Chair Joseph Flatley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC), then presented the Leadership Award to honoree Amy Anthony.
The Clearinghouse chose to honor Anthony due to her impressive career in the affordable housing industry. She has been a vocal supporter of affordable housing, at both the state and national level, for over thirty years, helped found the Multifamily Housing Institute, and continues to serve on a number of boards and committees.
In accepting her award, Anthony thanked Dukakis for his support.
“It was really a joy to work [with him], and it’s meant a huge amount to me in my career,” she said.
Anthony then spoke about POAH, commending the organization’s staff for their energy and drive, which she called “invigorating.”
The Clearinghouse also used the meeting as a platform to announce a new partnership with the Access to Justice Fellows Program. The program, created by the Supreme Judicial Court’s Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and led by Mintz Levin attorneys Sue Finegan and Martha Koster, matches retiring lawyers and judges with nonprofit and legal services organizations, where they use their expertise to serve the community.
The Clearinghouse would like to thank our sponsors and guests for supporting us and contributing to another successful event. Funds raised through our annual meeting will support our pro bono legal services, educational seminars, and the Access to Justice Fellows Program.
