2009 Gideon's Trumpet Award Recipients:

Anita Robboy and Arlene Bernstein

The 2009 Senior Partners for Justice Gideon's Trumpet award was presented to Arlene Bernstein, Esq. and Anita Robboy, Esq. for their outstanding pro bono contributions to Senior Partners and their steadfast commitment to access to justice for all.

The following tribute to Arlene and Anita was given at the Volunteer Lawyers Project annual reception:

Anita Robboy and Arlene Bernstein have been chosen as co-recipients of the Gideon's Trumpet Award because of the breadth and quality of their pro bono efforts through Senior Partners for Justice. They are both experienced and accomplished family law attorneys who have handled pro bono cases for VLP clients, including complex and demanding cases that required a high level of expertise. In addition to handling cases a substantial number of cases where their experience has been essential, they have put their experience to use mentoring newer practitioners and helping create the next generation of great family law attorneys.

Arlene Bernstein is a true pioneer in the legal profession - a graduate of Radcliffe college, she was one of 15 women in the Harvard Law School class of 1964, a class of over 500 students. She is retired from private law practice and now devotes her legal practice exclusively to pro bono work. Since joining SPJ, Arlene has accepted several contested family law cases through the limited assistance representation project in Suffolk and Norfolk Counties. She also volunteered to do client intake, which is a critical piece of the VLP/Senior Partners pro bono referral system.

A graduate of Swarthmore College (B.A.), Tufts University (M.Ed) and Boston University School of Law (J.D.), Anita Robboy is of counsel to the firm Menard, Murphy & Walsh LLP and a member of the firm's Domestic Relations Practice Group. She has been on VLP's pro bono panel for nearly 20 years and a member of SPJ since its inception. She is also an active and valuable member of the SPJ advisory board. Anita's pro bono work through VLP/SPJ includes representing complex family law cases. In addition to being an outstanding lawyer, she is also an accomplished scholar and author on topics ranging from The Myth of Divorce to the Underground Railroad.

Together, Anita as author, and Arlene as editor, they have written a series of articles analyzing important new family law cases. These insightful articles are shared with other Senior Partners and are posted on the SPJ website for the benefit of all. Anita and Arlene comprise the Continuing Education task group of SPJ through which they plan speakers and other legal educational events of interest to Senior Partners.

Arlene and Anita set an example for experienced and new attorneys alike of commitment to pro bono and access to justice for all, and of the good work that good friends can accomplish together.

Congratulations to Anita and Arlene! They truly embody the spirit of Senior Partners for Justice.