“[Lawyers Clearinghouse] has managed to continue to attract terrific attorneys who are just using their talents for the good of ordinary people who just need a little help . . . I’m thrilled that the Clearinghouse continues.” – David Abromowitz, Of Counsel at Goulston & Storrs and Co-founder of Lawyers Clearinghouse
“. . . we get so much out of the program ourselves, and there is so much help that is given by Lawyers Clearinghouse. I think it benefits our younger lawyers who are just learning how to practice, and for other lawyers who are really branching out into areas in which they don’t normally practice in their everyday profession.” – Peter Bilowz, Counsel at Goulston & Storrs
Created to acknowledge the contributions of Lawyers Clearinghouse’s pro bono volunteers, the Pro Bono Excellence Award is presented annually to legal professionals, law firms, or in-house departments that go above and beyond for their community.
We’re excited to highlight Goulston & Storrs, the recipient of our 2026 Pro Bono Excellence Award!
Lawyers Clearinghouse staff chose to honor Goulston & Storrs in recognition of the firm’s longtime support of our Legal Clinic Program and dedication to providing life-changing pro bono legal assistance to our homeless and low-income clients.
Goulston & Storrs’ partnership with Lawyers Clearinghouse dates back to the organization’s founding in 1988, when attorneys at the Boston-based full-service law firm sought a response to the city’s growing homeless population.
Goulston & Storrs attorney David Abromowitz, who had just returned to the firm after a short stint as a law professor, noted the uptick in homeless individuals living on the streets—something he attributed in large part to cuts to federal funding for housing by the Reagan administration and deinstitutionalization in Massachusetts.
As a real estate attorney with an understanding of affordable housing, David discussed the surge in homelessness with his colleagues. He recalls Mike Haroz, a partner at the firm and later a Clearinghouse A2J Fellow, telling him that it was unlikely they were the only firm thinking of ways to alleviate the issue.
“Maybe we can get some other firms involved as well, because it’s going to take more than one firm to do anything with any impact,” David recalls Mike saying.
David said that outreach is what eventually led to the formation of Lawyers Clearinghouse by the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association, under the name “Lawyers Clearinghouse on Affordable Housing and Homelessness.”
“In the early years, a lot of the attorneys involved knew how to do transactional affordable housing deals,” David said. “People were less familiar with how to provide direct services to homeless individuals.”
Lawyers Clearinghouse’s early work centered on helping nonprofits develop affordable housing projects and establish new organizations with missions related to housing and homelessness. The Clearinghouse soon started building partnerships with service organizations and shelters—such as the Pine Street Inn—and gradually expanded its focus beyond transactional work to include legal clinics and direct representation.
Over the past 38 years, Goulston & Storrs’ relationship with Lawyers Clearinghouse has continued to evolve.
While the firm has expanded its participation in recent years through increased involvement in the Nonprofit Assistance Program, Paul Momnie, a Lawyers Clearinghouse board member and a Director at Goulston & Storrs, said representing people in need remains at the center of the partnership.
“The impact can be really small on a systemic level, but truly life-changing on a personal level,” Paul said. “We’ve seen people have their records sealed or get evictions taken off their record that have unlocked opportunities for them that are really significant . . . when you’re housed you can work, you can focus on your health and your mental health.”
That impact is what led attorney Peter Bilowoz to sustain his involvement with Lawyers Clearinghouse since he first joined Goulston & Storrs back in 2004. Peter became a volunteer coordinator in 2008, helping further the firm’s participation in Lawyers Clearinghouse legal clinics for nearly 18 years, recruiting volunteers, and working with Lawyers Clearinghouse staff to match attorneys with clients.
In addition to serving clients, Peter said the legal clinics provide valuable opportunities for attorneys to gain hands-on experience while working alongside more senior colleagues.
“I always try to sell volunteer work as a great opportunity,” Peter said. “Not just to help individuals but also for your own experience.”
As Goulston & Storrs prepares to receive the Lawyers Clearinghouse Pro Bono Excellence Award at this year’s Annual Meeting, both parties view the recognition as a celebration of a longstanding partnership.
“I think the award is more of a reaffirming symbol of the partnership that we’ve had for so long,” Peter said. “We’re really appreciative.”
We look forward to celebrating Goulston & Storrs at our upcoming 38th Annual Meeting, where we’ll also recognize Nolan Leadership Honorees Moddie Turay and Leslie Reid of MHIC and Community Impact Awardee One Can Help.
