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Meet The 2026 Pro Bono Award Honoree: Baker McKenzie Teams Up for Impact

 

 

Expanding access to justice is only possible through strong partnerships. At Massachusetts Appleseed, our pro bono partners play a critical role in advancing our mission by helping us strengthen critical legal resources and create lasting systemic change across the Commonwealth. 

This year, we are proud to recognize Baker McKenzie with the 2026 Pro Bono Award at the Good Apple Awards Reception on October 29, in recognition of the firm’s longstanding commitment to expanding access to reliable legal information for young people experiencing homelessness. 

Following their mantra “Teaming for Impact,” Baker McKenzie has been an invaluable pro bono partner to Massachusetts Appleseed, dedicating its time and legal expertise to updating the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a free legal resource that empowers young people with the knowledge they need to understand and assert their rights. Beyond its partnership with Massachusetts Appleseed, Baker McKenzie has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to pro bono service on a national and global scale, partnering with legal aid organizations, nonprofits, and Appleseed Centers across the country to advance access to justice for underserved communities. 

Most recently, a cross-practice team of Baker McKenzie volunteers across North America partnered with the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth on its Not a Monolith: Perspectives from Survivors of Youth Violence report. The team helped conduct interviews, develop profiles, and draft and finalize the report, which elevates the perspectives of survivors of youth violence and explores restorative justice, rehabilitation, and community-led approaches to healing. 

That same commitment to leveraging legal expertise in service of young people is reflected in Baker McKenzie’s longstanding partnership with Massachusetts Appleseed. Since 2020, Baker McKenzie attorneys and legal professionals have provided critical pro bono support to the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, reviewing and updating legal content to help ensure the Handbook remains accurate, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of young people across the Commonwealth. 

Notably, Baker McKenzie attorneys have continued this commitment by updating the Immigration & Undocumented Youth and Employment chapters of the Handbook. This information is especially timely and can have a significant impact on the lives of young people. 

As Jaclyn Pampel, Partner and Director of North America Pro Bono, reflects: 

“Pro bono service is about using our legal expertise where it can have the greatest impact. Addressing youth homelessness requires collaboration across sectors and we’re honored to partner with Massachusetts Appleseed to provide legal resources that empower young people and strengthen the network of support surrounding them.”   

 – Jaclyn Pampel  

We are deeply grateful for Baker McKenzie’s enduring partnership and unwavering commitment to advancing justice for young people across Massachusetts. 

We hope you’ll join us to celebrate Baker McKenzie’s remarkable contributions, along with the other 2026 Good Apple Award honorees.  See details below! 

Good Apple Awards Reception 

Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM 

Winthrop Center in Boston  

Get your tickets at:  massappleseed.org/goodapple  

Learn about sponsorship opportunities and benefits at: massappleseed.org/goodapple 

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Mo Cowan and Diane and Deval Patrick Return as Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2026 Good Apple Awards Reception

The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is proud to announce that Diane Patrick and Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick along with Former U.S. Senator William “Mo” Cowan will return as Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2026 Good Apple Awards Reception on October 29, 2026.  The Good Apple, Massachusetts Appleseed’s signature annual event, celebrates leaders who advance legal access, equity, and opportunity across the Commonwealth. The Honorary Co-Chairs along with the Host Committee serve as ambassadors for the event. 

“I’ve long admired Massachusetts Appleseed’s ability to work across sectors to tackle our state’s most pressing challenges. It’s a privilege to once again serve as an Honorary Co-Chair along with my dear friends Diane and Deval and recognize those whose leadership is expanding access to justice and opportunity.” — Former U.S. Senator Mo Cowan 

Ranjini Govender Dowley, President & Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed, noted, “We are deeply grateful to Diane, Deval, and Mo for once again lending their leadership and support to the Good Apple Awards. Their lifelong commitment to public service and expanding opportunity reflects the very values that Massachusetts Appleseed seeks to advance every day.” 

Former U.S. Senator Mo Cowan, the Good Apple Award recipient in 2018, currently serves as the Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer at Devoted Health.  Senator Cowan served as Chief of Staff and Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Deval Patrick, before Patrick appointed him to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by John Kerry. Cowan became only the second African American to represent Massachusetts in the Senate. His career spanning public service, law, and business along with his continued support of Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission, makes him a valued member of this year’s Honorary Host Committee. 

Diane Patrick has long been recognized for her civic leadership and commitment to advancing opportunities for children and families across Massachusetts. Throughout her years of public service, she championed efforts to raise awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence. She currently serves as Co-Vice Chair of Massachusetts General Hospital and President of the Board of Trustees of the Epiphany School, an independent school in Boston serving children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.  

Governor Patrick has dedicated his career to advancing civil rights through a lifetime of leadership and public service. He served as Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division under President Bill Clinton before serving as the 71st Governor of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015. Following his time in public office, he became a founding partner of Bain Capital Double Impact, Bain Capital’s impact investing fund, and currently serves as a Senior Partner at The Vistria Group. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Obama Foundation and remains actively engaged with Harvard Kennedy School. 

The 2026 Good Apple Awards Reception will honor three outstanding leaders whose work reflects Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission of advancing access to justice and creating systemic change. 

Laura Peabody, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Mass General Brigham, will receive the 2026 Good Apple Award. The 2026 Pro Bono Award will go to Baker McKenzie in recognition of its long-term partnership with Massachusetts Appleseed in service to young people across the Commonwealth. The Community Leadership Award will be presented to Lisa Goldblatt Grace, Co-Founder and Former Co-Executive Director of My Life My Choice, and a world-renowned expert and leader in combating the sexual exploitation of adults and children. Learn more about these outstanding awardees. 

Tickets and sponsorship information can be found online at: https://massappleseed.org/goodapple.   

2026 Honorary Co-Chairs

Former U.S. Senator Mo Cowan, Diane Patrick, and Former Governor Deval Patrick

2026 Host Committee 

Alison Douglass (Goodwin), Carolin Hetzner, Chris Hoyle (StoneTurn), David Feinberg (Feinberg Hanson LLP), Devin Cohen (Proskauer), John Shutkin (MA Appleseed Board Chair), Lyndsey Stults (Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP), Marty Mazzone (Milken Institute), McKenzi Baker (Ropes & Gray), Melanie Todman (Mass General Brigham), Timothy M. McCrystal (Ropes & Gray LLP), and Wesley Gee (WHOOP)

 

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About The Good Apple Awards Reception  

The Good Apple Awards Reception will take place at the Winthrop Center in Downtown Boston on Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. If you are interested in learning more about the event, sponsorship opportunities, and this year’s awardees, please contact Ranjini Govender Dowley, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice President & Executive Director at Ranjini@massappleseed.org, 315-430-5256. 

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Meet The 2026 Community Leadership Award Honoree: Lisa Goldblatt Grace

The annual Good Apple Awards Reception celebrates the inspiring achievements of those working to advance equity, opportunity, and justice across Massachusetts.    

At this year’s event on October 29th, we will honor Lisa Goldblatt Grace with the 2026 Community Leadership Award, in recognition of her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of young people across the Commonwealth.

Lisa has led groundbreaking and nationally recognized efforts at the intersection of youth homelessness, exploitation, and access to opportunity. Through advocacy, prevention, survivor-centered programming, and policy reform, she has helped strengthen the systems that protect some of Massachusetts’ most marginalized young people.

Lisa has been a strategic partner with Mass Appleseed, providing critical insight into various sections of the Homeless Youth Handbook as it pertained to sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This work involved providing substantive edits to the Handbook to ensure that its content is accurate and accessible to a wide audience, as well as connecting Mass Appleseed with youth who provided their feedback about the usability and substance of the Handbook.

As the Co-Founder and former Co-Executive Director of My Life My Choice and Massachusetts’ first Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking

Director, Lisa has spent more than three decades working alongside young people impacted by exploitation, trafficking, poverty, and systemic inequities. From leading a shelter for teen parents to co-leading the development of Massachusetts’ five-year strategic plan to combat sex trafficking, her career has been defined by a commitment to both direct service and lasting systems change.

In fact, the Healey-Driscoll Administration adopted the five-year strategic plan to address human trafficking in the Commonwealth, which Lisa helped lead alongside partners across the state. The Administration then hired her to implement this unprecedented collaboration among every branch and office of state government, service providers, researchers, and law enforcement.

“This work isn’t about one organization or one agency. It’s about creating lasting systems that continue to serve people better long into the future, especially young people experiencing homelessness who often face overlapping challenges and vulnerabilities.” – Lisa

We hope you’ll join us to celebrate Lisa’s remarkable contributions, along with the other 2026 Good Apple Award honorees.

Get your tickets at:  massappleseed.org/goodapple 



SPONSORSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE

Good Apple Sponsors help ensure that Mass Appleseed has the resources it needs to help people access justice every day, in every community.

Sponsors receive complimentary tickets and recognition at the event as well as additional benefits and visibility throughout the year. Please consider becoming a Good Apple sponsor now and join us in celebrating our accomplishments and honoring our awardees on October 29.

Learn about sponsorship opportunities and benefits at: massappleseed.org/goodapple

We need your partnership. Together, we can continue expanding legal rights education, advancing systemic reforms, and building a Commonwealth where every young person can thrive.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

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Meet Our 2026 Good Apple Awards Honorees

Every Good Apple Awards Reception brings together leaders, advocates, and supporters who share a commitment to promoting equity and opportunity across Massachusetts.  

This year, we’re thrilled to announce the three awardees who will be honored at the Good Apple Awards Reception on Thursday, October 29th.

2026 Good Apple Award  

Laura Peabody, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, Mass General Brigham. Throughout her distinguished career, Laura has championed equity and access in healthcare while dedicating her time and leadership to organizations advancing legal advocacy, education, and social justice. 

 

2026 Pro Bono Award 

Baker McKenzie, A global law firm and longstanding, invaluable Massachusetts Appleseed partner, Baker McKenzie has played a foundational role in supporting the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, helping expand access to practical legal resources for young people across Massachusetts. 

2026 Community Leadership Award 

Lisa Goldblatt Grace, My Life My Choice Co-Founder and Massachusetts Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Director. For more than three decades, Lisa has been a powerful advocate for young people impacted by exploitation, trafficking, poverty, and systemic inequity. 

 

Join us for the Good Apple Awards Reception on Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Winthrop Center in Downtown, Boston. 

With your help, we will continue to expand equitable access to critical legal rights education, advance systemic policy reforms, and help remove barriers facing vulnerable communities across Massachusetts. 

SPONSORSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE
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Appleseed Celebrates Successful 17th Annual Good Apple Awards, Honoring Leaders Advancing Justice, Equity, and Access

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 19, 2025

 

Massachusetts Appleseed Celebrates Successful 17th Annual Good Apple Awards, Honoring Leaders Advancing Justice, Equity, and Access

Boston, MA –

The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice gathered a vibrant community of changemakers at the 2025 Good Apple Awards, held last week in Boston. The event drew over 120 supporters, partners, and community leaders dedicated to expanding justice and equity across the Commonwealth. The program highlighted the critical issues facing communities statewide including: youth homelessness, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the barriers non-English speakers face interacting with government systems. The evening also served as a call to action, emphasizing Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission to mobilize a broad movement for systemic change across the state. Massachusetts Appleseed extends its gratitude to the event’s supporters, honorary host committee chairs, and the broader community whose partnership makes this work possible.

Distinguished guests included Former U.S. Senator Mo Cowan and Retired Partner at Ropes & Gray Diane Patrick, both of whom supported the event as Honorary Co-Chairs. The evening highlighted the urgent need for accessible, equitable legal systems and celebrated the collective power of advocacy, storytelling, and community partnership.

James Parker, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Boston Celtics and recipient of the 2025 Good Apple Award, reflected on the enduring impact of working with youth experiencing homelessness during his college years:

“Some were runaways, hoping to make it big as a musician or actor in Hollywood. Others were forced onto the streets by unsupportive parents. They shared with me the challenges of living without a home and traditional support network—particularly legal challenges like evictions and citations for loitering. I quickly realized that for many, it was their circumstances that played the biggest factor in their lives. I’ve kept these lessons in mind ever since—that meeting people where they are with compassion and curiosity leads to a better understanding.”

Ursula Furi-Perry, Staff Attorney at the Lowell Court Service Center and recipient of the inaugural Community Leadership Award, received a standing ovation for her commitment to advocacy in both her professional work and volunteer service:

“The work I do with youth experiencing homelessness is fueled by the truth I lived: that potential is everywhere, but access is not. And when we remove barriers, when we expand legal protections, and when we take the time to simply listen to young people, we change not just individual futures, but entire communities.”

Representing Ropes & Gray LLP as the firm accepted the inaugural Pro Bono Champion Award, Rosalyn Garbose Nasdor, Director & Pro Bono Counsel, highlighted the shared responsibility within the legal profession to advance the common good:

“As attorneys, we have a responsibility to use our legal skills to help families who can’t afford lawyers and to promote access to justice. And we benefit from the work as well—it helps us to build community, and to recruit, train, and empower our lawyers.”

The 2025 Good Apple Awards underscored the transformative impact that legal advocacy, community partnerships, and barrier-breaking initiatives can have on families and young people across Massachusetts.

Individuals who were unable to attend the event can still contribute to MA Appleseed’s mission by donating at massappleseed.org/donate. Contributions support ongoing efforts to dismantle systemic injustice and expand equitable access to resources and opportunities throughout Massachusetts.

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About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice  

MA Appleseed is driven by a mission to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Through policy analysis and research, coalition building, education and training, community organizing, and advocacy, the nonprofit seeks systems-level change so all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive. Responding to emerging and enduring inequities, MA Appleseed addresses an array of complex issues including self-representation in the civil justice system, language access for immigrant families, the school-to-prison pipeline, and youth homelessness. To learn more about the 2025 Good Apple Reception, explore recent research, or donate, please visit massappleseed.org.

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Former Governor Deval Patrick and First Lady Diane Patrick Join 2025 Good Apple Award Reception as Honorary Host Committee Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2025

Diane and Deval Patrick

Boston, MA- The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is proud to announce that Diane Patrick, Retired Partner from Ropes & Gray LLP, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick have joined as Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2025 Good Apple Awards Reception. 

The Good Apple Award celebrates outstanding leaders in the legal community who exemplify Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission: advancing social justice, removing barriers to opportunity, and expanding access to the legal system for all Massachusetts residents. 

“We are honored to support Massachusetts Appleseed’s good work and to help celebrate this year’s Good Apple Award recipients,” said Governor Deval Patrick and Diane Patrick in a joint statement. “The fight for equity and justice has never been more important, and Appleseed’s work ensures that every Massachusetts resident—regardless of income, language, or background—has a fair chance to be heard and to thrive.” 

The 2025 Good Apple Honoree is James Parker, Sr. Vice President, General Counsel of the Boston Celtics, recognized for his exceptional leadership, community service, and commitment to equity in the legal system. His work on behalf of youth, including those experiencing homelessness, and his community involvement demonstrate his alignment with the values and vision of MA Appleseed.   

“I am deeply humbled to receive this year’s Good Apple Award,” said James Parker. “Massachusetts Appleseed’s work is vital to our legal community, striving to ensure that justice is not limited to the few, but accessible to all. I am proud to stand alongside Appleseed in advancing this vital mission.” 

2025 Good Apple Host Committee members include: 

Akhill Chopra (Technology & Analytics Leader), Alison Douglass (Goodwin), Amy Spencer (Nixon Peabody), Chidi Oteh (Ropes & Gray), Chris Hoyle (StoneTurn), CJ Davis (Puma), Devin Cohen (Proskauer Rose), John Shutkin (MA Appleseed Board Chair), Kerry Timbers (Sunstein Law), Laura Martin (Murphy & King), Mandy Petrillo (Fenway Sports Group), Marty Mazzone (Milken Institute), Melina Muñoz Turco (Turco Legal), and Wesley Gee (ArentFox).

Two inaugural awards will also be presented at the reception. The first-ever Pro Bono Award will be presented to Ropes & Gray, in recognition of their longstanding dedication to providing pro bono legal services to underserved communities, including most recently working with Massachusetts Appleseed to help youth experiencing homelessness to understand their legal rights. The inaugural Community Leadership Award will be presented to Ursula Furi-Perry, for her passionate advocacy for youth experiencing homelessness and efforts to expand their legal rights and protections.   

The 2025 Good Apple Award Reception will take place on November 13, 2025 at the Winthrop Center in Downtown Boston, bringing together legal, business, and community leaders to recognize those whose work has had a profound impact on advancing equity and justice in Massachusetts. Past honorees have included Mo Cowan, former U.S. Senator and President of Global Government Affairs and Policy at GE, and Elaine Weddington Steward, Senior Vice President & Assistant General Counsel of the Boston Red Sox, along with other leaders from the Commonwealth’s most respected law firms, companies, and public institutions. 

For more than three decades, Massachusetts Appleseed has helped children and families overcome poverty and crisis by opening doors to vital services, legal protections, and quality education. From expanding language access in schools and courts, to protecting the rights of youth in state systems, to removing obstacles to housing and economic stability, Appleseed builds solutions that create lasting impact for communities across the Commonwealth. Proceeds from the Good Apple Awards directly support this critical work. 

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or exploring sponsorship opportunities, visit our website or contact Toni Troop at toni@massappleseed.org or 617-212-7571. 

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About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice    

MA Appleseed is driven by a mission to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Through policy analysis and research, coalition building, education and training, community organizing, and advocacy, the nonprofit seeks systems-level change so all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive. Responding to emerging and enduring inequities, MA Appleseed addresses an array of complex issues including self-representation in the civil justice system, language access for immigrant families, the school-to-prison pipeline, and youth homelessness.

To learn more about the 2025 Good Apple Reception, explore recent research, or donate, please visit massappleseed.org.  

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2025 Good Apple Award Reception Announcement

Honoring James Parker, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Boston Celtics

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is rooted in the belief that all residents deserve access to equal rights and opportunities. Each year, we gather to celebrate the individuals and organizations working to make that vision a reality. 

Save the date and celebrate the good with us!  

Please join us for MA Appleseed’s 2025 Good Apple Award Reception on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM.  

James Parker, Recipient of the 2025 Good Apple Award

This year’s event will honor James Parker, SVP and General Counsel of the Boston Celtics, with the 2025 Good Apple Award for his excellence in legal leadership and commitment to public service. Beyond his role with the Celtics, Parker has made a strong impact in the legal community through his service as a trustee of the Boston Bar Foundation and his leadership for the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation’s “Boston Celtics United for Social Justice” initiative. As a lead for the initiative’s Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement pillar, he has advanced key social justice efforts, including advocating for the “Raise the Age” bill, which would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to be tried as juveniles instead of adults for certain crimes and help lower recidivism and re-conviction.

And, for the first time ever in the event’s history, MA Appleseed will also present two inaugural awards to those who personify a commitment to equity, fairness, and social justice. The Pro Bono Award will be presented to Ropes & Gray, in recognition of their longstanding dedication to providing pro bono legal services to underserved communities, including most recently working with Massachusetts Appleseed to help youth experiencing homelessness to understand their legal rights. The Community Leadership Award will be presented to Ursula Furi-Perry, for her passionate advocacy for youth experiencing homelessness and efforts to expand their legal rights and protections.  

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or exploring sponsorship opportunities, visit our registration website or contact Toni Troop at toni@massappleseed.org or 617-212-7571. 

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2024 Good Apple Reception

Billy Zile (Seres Therapeutics) and Yasmin Ghassab (Vertex Pharmaceuticals)

Honoring Yasmin Ghassab, Compliance Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

On Thursday, April 11, MA Appleseed held its 2024 Good Apple Award Reception at the Boston Harbor Hotel to celebrate and honor Yasmin Ghassab, Compliance Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. A civic leader, a pro bono champion, and a steadfast advocate of diversity and inclusion, Yasmin’s dedication to public service reminds us of the important role the legal community has in creating profound and positive change. She is truly a Good Apple and serves as an inspiration to us all.

The event provides core funding for MA Appleseed’s work throughout the year, helping fight for a just, fair future where all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive.

2024 Good Apple Award Reception Event Program

Photos by Christopher Huang. Please feel free to share these images in the context of discussing your experience and involvement with MA Appleseed and the Good Apple Award Reception. For any other uses or questions, please email info@christopherhuang.com.

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2023 Good Apple Reception

Elaine Weddington Steward (FSG Boston, 2023 Good Apple Award Recipient)

Honoring Elaine Weddington Steward, Senior Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, FSG Boston

On April 12, 2023, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice honored Elaine Weddington Steward with its 2023 Good Apple Award. A trailblazer throughout her historic career, Elaine’s extraordinary dedication to public service and social justice demonstrates the important role the legal community has in creating profound and positive change. As a civic leader, a mentor to many, and a champion of diversity and inclusion, she is truly a good apple.

The event provides core funding for MA Appleseed’s work throughout the year, helping fight for a just, fair future where all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive.

2023 Good Apple Award Reception Event Program

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Massachusetts Appleseed Presents 14th Annual Good Apple Award Honoring Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance and recipient of the 2021 Good Apple Award.

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA – On October 14, 2021, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice honored Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, with its 14th annual Good Apple Award. Enrique Colbert, General Counsel of Wayfair and recipient of the 2020 Good Apple Award, was also recognized during the event program following the cancellation of last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each year, Massachusetts Appleseed presents the Good Apple Award to a member of the Massachusetts legal or business community who exemplifies the organization’s commitment to public service, fairness, and social justice. This year’s event was held virtually and raised more than $300,000. The Good Apple Award Reception serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser and provides core funding for the advocacy organization’s work to expand equitable access to justice and opportunity for families and youth.

“Karen sets the very highest bar for members of the legal community – an unyielding commitment to the pursuit of social justice, excellence in the law, and an unwavering belief that we lawyers have an essential role to play in fostering a future where justice is achievable for all,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors. “We were so thrilled to be joined by Karen’s wide circle of colleagues, friends, and family to thank her for all she does, and we ended the evening inspired by her call to action and words of wisdom.”

As Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, Karen Morton leads a team of approximately 180 compliance professionals in 29 countries and economies around the world. During her career at Liberty Mutual, which commenced in 2006, Ms. Morton also served as the Deputy General Counsel for the Litigation and Coverage Group and Vice President and Counsel for Employment, Benefits and Executive Compensation and Corporate Real Estate. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Ms. Morton was an attorney with John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation. Ms. Morton received her B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, and is a member of the Board for Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit agency which serves homeless and at-risk youth. She has also received numerous awards for championing diversity and inclusion.

“The recent pandemic and social justice issues in our country have shown us that there is still much work that needs to be done,” said Ms. Morton. “As legal practitioners, we are uniquely positioned to provide the expertise and support to create real change.”

Wayne Budd, Senior Counsel at Goodwin Procter LLP, introduced Ms. Morton during the event and spoke of her extraordinary leadership, remarking, “Service to the public, seeker of social justice, and a steadfast dedication to assisting in the achievement of fairness and equity have been the hallmarks of her life.”

The event also highlighted one of Massachusetts Appleseed’s key projects, the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a know-your-rights guide designed to help youth experiencing homelessness overcome legal barriers and build safe, stable futures. Made possible through partnerships with numerous community organizations and pro bono partners, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance, Massachusetts Appleseed is now delivering know-your-rights trainings to create a stronger legal safety net for vulnerable youth around the state.

“As we work to build pathways out of crisis for families and youth across Massachusetts, it has never been more important to take the time to recognize the leaders in our legal community guiding the way,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed. “Karen’s commitment to building a better, fairer world inspires us every day, and we are so proud to present her with this year’s Good Apple Award.”

Recent past recipients of the Good Apple Award include Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank, Senator William “Mo” Cowan, former President of Global Government Affairs and Policy at GE; and Jonathan Chiel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Fidelity Investments.

Massachusetts Appleseed thanks the many generous supporters of the 14th annual Good Apple Award Reception, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance and Sustainer sponsors WilmerHale, Fidelity Investments, Goodwin Procter LLP, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.

Champion Sponsor

About Massachusetts Appleseed

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The nonprofit researches and identifies the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies have systematically failed impoverished and vulnerable communities, challenges harmful public policies that perpetuate injustices and inequities, advocates for statewide policy solutions, and develops know-your-rights resources for those impacted. (https://massappleseed.org)