Robinson+Cole recently recognized seven lawyers for pro bono work, community service, mentoring, and promoting an inclusive work environment. 

The Pro Bono Award is presented by the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and honors individuals for their outstanding commitment to Robinson+Cole’s pro bono initiative. This year, two lawyers were awarded for their pro bono efforts. Matthew J. Lawlor was recognized for applying his real estate and development background to foster sustainable growth and smart urban planning in the Boston area. His pro bono efforts for the Congress for the New Urbanism promote traditional human-scaled growth in the heart of the city while his work for the Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation focuses on sustainable development in the neighborhoods of Hyde Park and Roslindale. James R. Nault was recognized for his outstanding work on a case assigned to Robinson+Cole by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea through the District of Connecticut’s Civil Pro Bono Panel. With the assistance of Robinson+Cole attorney Nuala E. Droney, Mr. Nault vigorously represented an inmate who was allegedly beaten by prison guards and denied his due process rights in the disciplinary hearings that followed the incident. The case was eventually settled. Judge Shea and Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall of the District of Connecticut both commended the work of Mr. Nault and Ms. Droney, thanking them for their willingness to accept the case as well as for their outstanding advocacy.

As a central part of the Robinson+Cole culture, the Community Service Award recognizes efforts to build strong, sustainable partnerships within local communities and to promote service, community commitment, and civic responsibility. The 2016 award was presented to both Keisha S. Palmer and Jacqueline Pennino Scheib for their part in establishing and sustaining the University of Connecticut School of Law/Robinson+Cole Summer Law Institute. In 2008, in collaboration with Hartford Public Schools and the University of Connecticut School of Law, they founded the pipeline program, designed to create clear pathways for increased diversity within the legal community as well as to open doors and directly impact young people in the Hartford area. The success of the initiative was recently demonstrated when one of the original class members entered UConn Law School.

The Robinson+Cole Mentor of the Year Award recognizes and honors lawyers throughout the firm for their outstanding guidance, support, and encouragement of fellow lawyers in their pursuit of professional growth. The honor was presented to three lawyers this year: Nuala E. Droney, John B. Lynch Jr., and Edward V. O'Hanlan.

Lastly, the Diversity and Inclusion Award was presented to Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, who exemplifies the firm’s dedication and commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where the diverse backgrounds of all lawyers and other professionals are respected. Ms. Cole-Johnson is an active member of Robinson+Cole’s Diversity Committee as well as the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association and recently served as chair of the YWCA Hartford Region's Board of Directors.

About Robinson+Cole

Robinson+Cole is a service mark of Robinson & Cole LLP, an Am Law 200 firm with 200 lawyers in nine offices serving regional, national, and international clients, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. For more information, please visit www.rc.com.