2016 Liff Spirit Award Honoree

Ropes & Gray

Celebrating 150 Year Anniversary

Ropes-&-Gray-plaque-rockCelebrating 150 years of service, the attorneys and staff at Ropes & Gray wanted to make a meaningful contribution to our community that could be enjoyed by generations of Bostonians to come. A new connection established between Ropes & Gray and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy in early 2015 created an opportunity for both organizations to share in their mutual vision of a greener city for everyone.

Working together, Ropes & Gray and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy have planted 150 Red Oak trees throughout the park system, filling gaps in the canopy and replacing ones that are damaged or in poor health.

Through collaborative efforts, and a gift funded by Ropes & Gray, both organizations have come together to honor Fredrick Law Olmstead’s legacy, which held that “For every thousand dollars judiciously invested in a park, the dividends to the second generation of citizens possessing it will be much larger than to the first; the dividends to the third much larger than to the second.”

The gift has also furthered the legacy of Justine Liff, whose ambitious vision, leadership, and dedication have encouraged continual restoration and enhancement of the historic Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace parks.

“Justine’s commitment to the Emerald Necklace lives on through all of us who recognize the importance of our parks,” said Newcomb Stillwell, co-managing partner of Ropes & Gray’s Boston office. “We appreciate deeply the Conservancy’s stewardship over these cherished public spaces and its commitment to Justine’s legacy,” added Diane Patrick, also a co-managing partner of the firm’s Boston office.

Since its founding in Boston in 1865, Ropes & Gray has become a global firm, while maintaining its focus in Boston as a committed partner to its innovative New England clients, the region’s community service efforts, non-profit organizations and pro bono legal services. Whether its attorneys and staff are volunteering in Franklin Park to beautify our public spaces, or committing long hours to find solutions to challenging and societal issues in our communities, Ropes & Gray’s longstanding commitment has empowered organizations around New England to make change – for the better.

Past Recipients

2022
Kathy Abbott
President and CEO, Boston Harbor Now

2019
Kathryn Ott Lovell
Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation

2018
Kelsey Wirth
Founder, Mothers Out Front

2017
Whitney Hatch
Chairman, DCR Stewardship Council

2016
Ropes & Gray
Celebrating 150 Year Anniversary

2015
Mark Volpe
Managing Director, Boston Symphony Orchestra

2014
Elizabeth Barlow Rogers
Founder, Central Park Conservancy

2013
Thomas M. and Angela Menino
Mayor and First Lady, City of Boston

2012
Malcolm Rogers
Ann and Graham Gund Director,
Museum of Fine Arts Boston

2011
Valerie Burns
President, Boston Natural Areas Network

2010
Charles Ansbacher
Conductor and Founder,
Boston Landmark Orchestra

2009
Michael and Kitty Dukakis
Former Governor and First Lady,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

2008
Joan and Ted Cutler
Philanthropists

2007
Agnes “Diddy” Cullinane
Founder, Black and White Boston

2006
Henry Lee
Founder, Friends of the Public Garden

2005
Eugenie Beal
Founding Chair, Boston Conservation Commission
Founding Member, Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Norman Leventhal
Founder, The Beacon Companies