Volunteer Samuel Bryar Receives 2021 Adams Pro Bono Publico Award

De Novo volunteer attorney Samuel E. J. Bryar, Esq. has been named one of the 2021 Adams Pro Bono Publico Award recipients by the Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services. Attorney Bryar is among three attorneys to be honored at an October 26 ceremony for their exceptional dedication to providing volunteer legal services for persons who cannot afford an attorney for their essential legal needs.

Sam Bryar speaks at De Novo’s 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Event.

De Novo welcomed Sam to our family law unit as a pro bono attorney in May 2018. During his two and a half years as a volunteer, Sam provided approximately 3,300 hours of pro bono representation to domestic violence survivors and their children in complex, highly-contested family law matters. He is the fifth De Novo volunteer to receive a prestigious Adams Award in recognition of their work with De Novo clients.

Sam began his career as a legal fellow in Sierre Leone in 2009 where he represented over 40 village farmers in a dispute with one of Africa’s largest mining companies. He went on to work with women and girls, survivors of domestic violence, and prison populations in Iraq, Kenya, Liberia, and Uganda. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Chinguetti, Mauritania.

Attorney Bryar pictured with Elizabeth Brusie, Assistant Legal Director at De Novo.

The annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards, named in honor of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, recognize Massachusetts lawyers, law students, law firms, and legal organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to providing pro bono services for the benefit of individuals of limited means.

The 2021 Adams Award recipients will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 4-5:30 p.m. via webcast at https://boston.suffolk.edu/sjc/.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at De Novo.