Devin Cohen Honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in the Law Awards

Health care partner Devin Cohen was honored by the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in the Law Awards 2023 for Excellence in Pro Bono.

Devin led a cross-practice pro bono team that advised Heading Home in its negotiations with Casa Nueva Vida (CNV) to coordinate continued shelter for 125 families experiencing homelessness, formerly funded by CNV’s contract with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). These families were at risk of being displaced following DHCD’s decision to terminate CNV’s shelter contract due to alleged embezzlement by its former CEO. Devin and the Ropes & Gray team continue to advise Heading Home on securing permanent stewardship of the properties.

In the past eight years Devin has devoted an astonishing 1,340+ hours to pro bono activities. In addition to Heading Home, Devin has dedicated legal service to pro bono initiatives including:

• A medical-legal partnership the firm established with DotHouse Health, a community health center in Dorchester, to provide legal services to patients and their families in areas such as housing and education
• Legal formation of PurpLE Health Foundation, a non-profit that treats women who have experienced gender-based violence through an integrated model of health care delivery, research and education
• Licensing agreements for EDI Institute, a non-profit organization based in Chatham, MA to promote recovery and emotional resilience through Expressive Digital Imagery created on mobile devices
• Legal services for Prognosus, a startup in early dementia screening, culturally fluent counsel, and community in a digital app

The Excellence in the Law Awards celebrates the best lawyers and legal professionals throughout the Massachusetts legal community. The winners will be honored at a ceremony in Boston on May 16^th.