ALEXANDER G. GRAY, JR., SCHOLARSHIP FUND

            At the 2006 Annual Dinner, the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association (MLGBA) announced the creation of the Alexander G. Gray, Jr., Scholarship Fund in memory and celebration of friend and colleague Alexander “Alec” G. Gray, Jr.  Alec died on August 15, 2005, after a brief and courageous struggle with melanoma, and he is dearly missed.

 Each year, in Alec’s memory, the Fund presents a $1,000 award to a law student who demonstrates a proven commitment to and involvement in the LGBT community, as well as leadership, maturity and responsibility.  The award helps law students defray the costs of their legal education.  The first award was presented at the 2007 Annual Dinner. 

             The Alexander G. Gray, Jr., Scholarship Fund honors Alec’s outstanding work as a lawyer and his dedication to MLGBA, particularly his mentorship of new lawyers.  Alec was a dynamic and important contributor to the work of MLGBA.  He served on the MLGBA Board from 2002 until 2005.  He was an energetic participant in the mentor program.  He took seriously the task of mentoring LGBT law students and new lawyers and developed lasting relationships with those individuals whom he mentored.  Alec will long be remembered for his dedication to public service, his advocacy on behalf of children, and his deep commitment to all that he undertook.

 Alec was a graduate of the American International College and of Suffolk University Law School.  In his legal career, he remained dedicated to public service.  He served as an Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti (1977-1987), where he developed a highly regarded expertise in election law and the Initiative and Referendum process.  From 1990 to1995, Alec served as General Counsel to the Department of Social Services, where he played a critical role in reforming child welfare laws and spearheading the successful effort to reduce the average adoption wait time by nearly two years.  His subsequent work as Executive Director of the Adoption Center and as Chief Operating Officer of Concord-Assabet Family and Adolescent Services fulfilled his strong interest in serving abandoned and underprivileged children.  From 2001 onwards, Alec served as General Counsel to the Trial Court, providing counsel to Chief Justice Robert Mulligan, Chief Justice for Administration and Management, and to Chief Justice Mulligan’s predecessor Chief Justice Barbara Dortch-Okara. 

 MLGBA is actively working to raise funds to endow the Gray Scholarship Fund so that it continues to honor Alec and his commitment to mentorship of young lawyers for decades to come.  MLGBA urges you to make a tax-deductible gift* to the Fund.  By making a gift, you will honor Alec’s life and work, and you will signal your commitment to the next generation of lawyers committed to LGBT equality.  If you have any questions about the Gray Scholarship Fund or how to make a gift, please contact Polly Crozier at (617) 577-1505 or polly@kauffmanlaw.net.  Thank you for your support. 

 *The Massachusetts Bar Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization under the IRS code 501(c)(3), and is serving as the fiscal agent for the Alexander G. Gray, Jr. Scholarship Fund. As such, all contributions to the Fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by state and federal law.  Receipts are issued for all gifts.