The Boston Bar Association (BBA) will present this year's Thurgood Marshall Award to Senior Counsel Jack Regan for his work to improve access to justice for veterans and other vulnerable populations.

The Thurgood Marshall award was established to recognize attorneys in private practice in greater Boston whose extraordinary efforts have enhanced the human dignity of others through improving or delivering civil or criminal legal services to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's low-income population. Regan has been practicing for nearly four decades and during that time, he has shown a deep commitment to delivering pro bono services to veterans, active duty military personnel and their families.

“Having started my career at Hale and Dorr (now WilmerHale) where Jack has worked for all these years, I am aware of his career-long commitment to pro bono and public service initiatives,” said BBA President Lisa Arrowood. “Jack has been a true friend to the veterans in Massachusetts and we are presenting this award to commend him for his continuing efforts to increase access to justice for all.”

During his term as BBA president, Regan created the Task Force on Legal Services for Military Personnel, Veterans and their Families. The task force oversaw the creation of the BBA's Military & Veterans Committee, which founded the Military and Veterans Legal Helpline, now housed at the BBA's Lawyer Referral Service, with assistance from the Legal Services Center and Veterans Legal Clinic at Harvard Law School, the Volunteer Lawyers Project of the BBA, Veterans Legal Services, and the Legal Advocacy and Resource Center. Regan also co-chairs WilmerHale's Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, which oversees the firm's extensive pro bono and community service programs, as well as its relationship with the Legal Services Center at Harvard.

“As a veteran, I understand that the challenges faced by this population are complex, and it takes teams of dedicated lawyers to respond to their needs,” Regan said. “I am so grateful to everyone who has joined me in the effort to provide those who have served our country, those still serving, and their loved ones, with the legal representation they deserve.”

The award will be presented at the BBA's annual Law Day Dinner on May 12.