Easton resident and law firm co-founder Kim Dougherty to receive prestigious 2025 Lelia J. Robinson Award

Easton resident Kimberly (Kim) Dougherty, who is also the co-founder of Easton-based law firm Justice Law Collaborative (JLC), has been named a 2025 Lelia J. Robinson Award recipient by the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA).

The Lelia J. Robinson Award, named after the first woman admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, recognizes women pioneers in the legal profession who have achieved professional excellence, positively influenced the advancement of women pursuing careers in law, and have made a difference in their community. Past recipients include Massachusetts’ 73rd Governor Maura Healey and the 38th Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, Kimberly Budd, among many notable others.

Dougherty, who earned a Master’s degree in Social Work in addition to her Juris Doctor, has combined expertise from both fields to passionately advocate on behalf of people who have been harmed by sexual and physical assault, personal injury, human trafficking, wrongful death, and institutional neglect. Her reputation as a creative and trauma-informed litigator was earned by leading efforts to gather evidence and significantly contribute to reaching a settlement related to hundreds of painful deaths caused by fungus-contaminated steroids manufactured by Framingham, MA-based New England Compounding Center Pharmacy (“NECC”). Kim’s efforts in the NECC case earned her the Massachusetts Lawyer of the Year award in 2015.

Additionally, Kim continues to successfully lead and participate in numerous high profile cases including athletes abused by Olympic doctor Larry Nassar, teenagers tormented and trafficked by hostile, unregulated facilities parading as therapy-based programs for “troubled” teens, and wrongful death and abuse cases against some of the country’s most prestigious universities who fail to adequately protect the students in their care. Kim is actively leading litigation to hold Stanford University accountable for the wrongful death of Katie Meyer. Meyer, who co-captained Stanford University’s women’s soccer team and led it to national victory as its goalie in 2019, died by suicide in her dorm room mere months before her graduation as a result of Stanford’s egregious misconduct and neglect.

Dougherty has also invested countless hours testifying in front of state legislators and drafting legislation to modernize antiquated laws in hopes of further protecting the innocent. She today advocates for survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault, and those traumatized by the egregious mishandling of human life. Her work in and out of the courtroom has helped ensure the closure of facilities that mistreat children, has resulted in the removal of dangerous drugs and devices from the market, and has established safer laws throughout the country. Most recently, her advocacy assisted in the September 2024 passage of Katie Meyer’s Law, which provides valuable legal safeguards and support to college students facing challenges in California.

A former president of the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (2015-2016), Kim currently holds Board of Directors positions for Guardians of the Streets, which brings hope and comfort to vulnerable people challenged by addiction, mental health concerns, and homelessness in our local communities; and Katie’s Save, which aims to make mental health resources for college students more accessible, to protect students, and prevent suicide. She and her husband Josh have also served as coaches for various Easton sports leagues including boys basketball and lacrosse (Go Easton Tigers!).

Alongside Dougherty, the WBA recognized attorney Laura Gal of the Greater Boston Legal Services, an attorney who, for nearly thirty years, has provided legal services to low-income women engaged in systemic law reform.

Dougherty's firm announces second merger in six months

In addition to legal honors, Dougherty and her co-founder Paula Bliss, announced the merger between KBM Law and their firm, Justice Law Collaborative, forming an extended, bi-coastal presence. The merger, announced last week, closely follows JLC's merger with Yaeger Law in January 2025, at which time Laura Yaeger was named firm partner. The new West Coast office, located in Los Angeles, will be helmed by Karen Barth Menzies, transforming the newly-united entity into one of the only one-hundred-percent (100%) female-owned and led plaintiffs law firms in America. The firm will continue to operate as Justice Law Collaborative, LLC, and will be led by an all-female partnership: Paula Bliss, Kimberly Dougherty, Kelly Guagenty, Karen Barth Menzies, and Laura Yaeger.