Wesley T. Gee, David A. Michel, and Michelle R. Pascucci Join Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors

For Immediate Release

BOSTON, MA, August 24, 2021 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice welcomed Wesley T. Gee, Associate at Arent Fox LLP, David A. Michel, Partner at Sherin and Lodgen LLP, and Michelle R. Pascucci, Attorney at Donnelly, Conroy, & Gelhaar, LLP, to its Board of Directors during the organization’s Annual Meeting on June 29, 2021. Massachusetts Appleseed is a nonprofit organization that advocates for systemic reform in areas such as access to justice, educational justice, and youth homelessness and is grateful to have Mr. Gee, Mr. Michel, and Ms. Pascucci, three accomplished and talented attorneys, join the Board.

Wesley T. Gee, Arent Fox LLP

Wesley Gee is an Associate in Arent Fox’s Boston office and his practice focuses on advising clients on corporate matters in the sports, fashion, and entertainment industries. He has represented professional sports franchises, sports and entertainment facilities, and sponsors, including the Los Angeles Lakers, SoFi Stadium, and Amazon, and luxury designer brands such as Diane von Furstenberg and Yves Saint Laurent. A dedicated member of Arent Fox’s Pro Bono Committee, Mr. Gee has guided multiple nonprofit organizations through the formation and tax-exempt status processes and routinely advises these organizations on a wide array of legal issues.

“It’s an honor and privilege to join the Board of an organization that is dedicated to advancing policy initiatives to protect Massachusetts’ most vulnerable citizens,” said Wesley Gee. “I look forward to supporting Massachusetts Appleseed’s critical work to improve access to justice for all.”

David A. Michel, Sherin and Lodgen LLP

As a Partner in Sherin and Lodgen LLP’s Litigation Department, David Michel represents companies in a variety of complex civil and commercial disputes, including real estate, construction and employment matters, in federal and state court and through alternative dispute resolution. Prior to joining S&L, Mr. Michel was a Staff Attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services’ Public Defender Division and brings to the Appleseed Board a deep understanding of the need to improve and guarantee access to justice for vulnerable litigants. He demonstrated his commitment to public interest law early as submissions editor for the Boston University Public Interest Law Journal.

“I’m honored to join the Appleseed Board and have been thoroughly impressed with the work Appleseed has accomplished during Sherin and Lodgen’s long history with the organization,” said David Michel. “As a former Public Defender, I have seen firsthand the importance of access to justice and hope to use my experiences to help Appleseed advance their important work.”

Michelle R. Pascucci, Donnelly, Conroy, & Gelhaar, LLP

Michelle Pascucci is an associate with Donnelly, Conroy & Gelhaar, LLP, where she represents individuals and corporations facing criminal, civil, and institutional investigations. As a former federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice Fraud Section in Washington D.C., she investigated and litigated a variety of white-collar cases across the United States. While at the Department of Justice, Ms. Pascucci also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Ms. Pascucci clerked for the Honorable George A. O’Toole, Jr. for the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the Honorable Juan R. Torruella for the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

“I am honored to join the Massachusetts Appleseed Board of Directors,” said Michelle Pascucci. “I have been so impressed by Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission to promote equal rights for Massachusetts citizens and am excited to help advance and promote that mission as a member of the Board.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Wesley, David, and Michelle to our Board and excited to see their broad range of skills and knowledge impact our work,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of the Board. “We find ourselves at a critical point, where the promise of systemic change is possible, and the organizing power of our communities demonstrates that we can meet the immense challenges of our time head-on. I am grateful to have such extraordinary professionals join us in furthering the mission of Massachusetts Appleseed.”

About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice:

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. We research the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies are systematically failing our most vulnerable residents. We collaborate with community partners to ensure that recommended plans of action are practical and comprehensive. We advocate for the implementation of solutions that will create lasting change.