The Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA) proudly announces its 2025 Lelia J. Robinson Award recipients and its Emerging Women Leaders in the Law Honorees.

Kim Dougherty and Laura Gal

The Lelia J. Robinson Award honors women attorneys who have captured the spirit of Lelia J. Robinson, the first woman admitted to practice in Massachusetts. The award recognizes women who, like Robinson, are pioneers in the legal profession and who have made a difference in the community. In 2025, the WBA is proud to recognize two women who have excelled in their fields and made an impact: Kim Dougherty and Laura Gal. Attorneys Dougherty and Gal will be honored at the WBA’s annual Gala on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, MA. The Gala, the WBA’s largest event of the year, is attended by hundreds of attorneys, judges, legislators, and business professionals. 

“We are thrilled to honor Kim Dougherty and Laura Gal as this year’s Lelia J. Robinson award recipients,” said WBA President Julie D. Palmer. “Each of these awardees embody the spirit of this award – both through the skill and determination they bring to their substantive work and through their enthusiastic mentorship and education of others in our legal community. Attorneys Dougherty and Gal are extraordinary leaders who inspire excellence in our profession, and the WBA is honored to recognize and celebrate each of them.”

KIM DOUGHERTY

Kim A. Dougherty has made a significant impact on the legal profession in Massachusetts and nationwide and did so at an earlier stage in her career than perhaps is typically seen. A 2003 law school graduate, she was named Massachusetts Lawyer of the Year a mere 12 years later in 2015. Attorney Dougherty’s practice includes complex pharmaceutical and medical device tort litigation, personal injury, sexual assault, and civil rights litigation. She regularly speaks nationwide on these topics.

With respect to the WBA, “As a former WBA President and Board Member, member of the Women’s Bar Association … Kim has dedicated countless hours giving back to the legal community, mentoring, and supporting women,” noted WBA Emeritus Board Member Nancy Cremins.

In 2021, Attorney Dougherty co-founded her current firm, Justice Law Collaborative, which she leads with three other women partners representing and protecting the rights of women and children in complex litigation. Prior to that, Attorney Dougherty managed the Boston Office of several national law firms, including Andrus Wagstaff and Janet, Jenner & Suggs. Dougherty attended Northeastern University School of Law (J.D. 2003) and prior to that Columbia University (M.S. 2000, Social Work) and Clark University (B.S. 1998 magna cum laude). She was admitted to the Massachusetts bar on Dec. 9, 2003.

From opening doors for women in historically closed spaces to performing exemplary public service on behalf of women, Attorney Dougherty is a nationally recognized champion for advancing women and protecting the rights of women and children.

LAURA GAL

Laura Gal has provided legal services to low-income women and engaged in systemic law reform for almost thirty years. In her current role, Attorney Gal serves as the Managing Attorney of the Family Law Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services, where she oversees approximately twenty attorneys and paralegals and manages the unit’s systemic advocacy. She has also served as a co-chair of the MA SJC’s Access to Justice Commission and currently serves as the co-chair for the MA SJC’s Access to Justice Commission Family Law which seeks to improve access to justice for people who are unable to afford an attorney for essential civil legal needs.

Gal previously served as the supervising attorney at Northeast Legal Aid, strengthening the Family Law Unit through her talent and leadership. Before this, Gal was a staff attorney at Community Legal Aid in Worcester, serving as a regional board member of the Women’s Bar Association while based there.

As a mentor, Gal receives rave reviews from her junior attorneys and colleagues in family law practice around the state (the majority of which are women); 2022 WBA Emerging Woman Leader in the Law Honoree Kate Barry, GBLS, spoke about her individualized approach to encouraging attorney development and career advancement. As an attorney, Gal is recognized as state-wide leader on domestic violence (“DV”) family law issues within the legal services community. Kate Barry notes that she “is a part of nearly every conversation of any importance within the DV legal services community, for example the ongoing discussions regarding the proposed Mass. Parentage Act’s effects on DV survivors.”

Gal distinguished herself during the COVID-19 court closures, working with court leadership and others to ensure access to justice. Attorney Gal is a tireless mentor to fellow legal services attorneys and a passionate champion for equal access to justice for women and families.

Emerging Women Leaders in the Law Honorees

The WBA’s Emerging Women Leaders in the Law Award honors women attorneys who have demonstrated professional excellence or had a significant professional achievement in approximately their first 12 years in the legal profession, and either promote the status of women in the legal profession or contribute meaningfully to the equal participation of women in a just society. The 2025 awardees will also be celebrated and honored at the WBA’s annual Gala. They are:

• Krista Ellis, Community Legal Aid
• Alexandra Mitropoulos, Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP | Berklee College of Music
• Christina Pashou, Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP
• Sonia Sujanani, WilmerHale

“This year’s Emerging Women Leaders are each exceptional women attorneys who have set themselves apart through their talent in the practice of law, leadership amongst their peers, and professional accomplishments. The WBA is excited to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the profession.” said President Palmer.