Macey Russell Honored by BBA with ‘Voice of Change’ Award

The Boston Bar Association recently honored E. Macey Russell with its annual Voice of Change Award, which is reserved for “luminary leader[s] in the legal community who have forged a new path and has played an extensive role in advancing diversity and inclusion within the profession.” In accepting the recognition, Russell is vowed to make it his priority to inspire the Boston legal community to take action, much as he has done throughout his career.

Speaking to the BBA, Russell said “I believe as a profession, we need to figure out how we value the different strengths and contributions that diverse people bring. I look forward to the Beacon Award ceremony as an opportunity to amplify that message and encourage others to step up and be heard on issues of diversity and inclusion.”

A Choate partner of over 16 years, Russell is a past chair and active member of the Firm’s diversity committee. But his efforts to build a more welcoming and inclusive legal profession for minority attorneys have branched far outside the firm over the years. Russell speaks at events and conferences all over the country on the subject of increasing the number of attorneys of color entering the profession, and appropriately leveraging their unique skills and perspectives once they are hired by a firm or legal department.

Russell has been an advisory board member of the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, a think-tank based in Chicago, and was a co-chair of the BBA’s Diversity & Inclusion Section. At the BBA, Russell had an opportunity to test theories about how best to advance the cause. Russell supported the formation of BBA Judicial Internship program with Superior Court Justice Robert Tochka. The BBA also hosted programs designed to familiarize minority associates with specific industries and give them the tools to strengthen their business development within their firms. As chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission, Russell worked with the BBA to host forums on how to become a judge, and actively encouraged minority attorneys to apply.