Attorney Bancroft “Bats” Wheeler, a retired partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish and an Access to Justice Fellow, was one of four attorneys honored with a 2016 Adams Pro Bono Publico Award on October 26 at the John Adams Courthouse.
Bats was recognized for the pro bono work he started as a Fellow in 2013 after partnering with MetroWest Legal Services, where he piloted a program, called “Wills on Wheels,” which was designed to provide simple wills, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare proxies to disabled and elderly clients around Massachusetts. During his Fellowship, Bats drafted over 250 legal documents for over 100 MetroWest clients. He continues to volunteer with MetroWest today.
For many years, Bats has used his expertise in the areas of trusts and estates to actively serve his community. In addition to his work through the Fellows Program, he also volunteers with Senior Partners for Justice to work on matters related to the probate aspects of bank foreclosures.
The Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards are presented annually to legal professionals, law firms, government attorney offices, corporate law departments, and other legal institutions that “demonstrate outstanding and exceptional commitment to providing volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged.”
