The Supreme Judicial Court’s Pro Bono Recognition Program has recognized WilmerHale as a member of its Honor Roll for the second consecutive year, with Partner Mary Jo Johnson accepting the honor at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston on October 24.

The program was implemented in 2011 for lawyers who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to pro bono work by voluntarily assisting vulnerable people of limited financial means with their legal issues. Each year the program honors those law firms, solo practitioners, in-house corporate counsel offices, government attorneys' offices, non-profit organizations and law school faculties that certify that they have met the program criteria by providing significant pro bono legal services.

Among other criteria, to qualify for the voluntary program, the lawyer, firm, or organization must certify that the pro bono legal services hours per attorney is at least 50 in a given year, or that more than 75 percent of their Massachusetts attorneys have each provided at least 25 pro bono hours in a year.

Steadfast commitment to pro bono representation has been a hallmark of WilmerHale’s since the early 20th century. Today, the firm continues to be a national leader in pro bono services and charitable activities, with each office actively participating in these contributions.

Earlier this year, WilmerHale’s commitment to pro bono earned the firm a feature place in the Law360 Pro Bono Firms of the Year series, which honored 20 law firms for achieving the most notable pro bono wins. Among this year’s pro bono wins, WilmerHale was recognized for its partnership with the Massachusetts Attorney General in defeating the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the First Circuit. The firm was also recognized for its work in advancing the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011.