The Scales of Justice

2024 Scales of Justice Award

Each year, Equal Justice Works presents the Scales of Justice Award to a leader in the legal community who exemplifies a commitment to public service and a passion for equal justice; has advanced the organization's mission and vision throughout their career; and has set a strong example for what lawyers and legal professionals can and should do to contribute to efforts in the public interest and toward greater access to justice for all.

Susan H. Alexander

Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Biogen

Susan H. Alexander is Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Biogen and has served on the Executive Committee since 2006. Prior to that, from 2006 to December 2011, Ms. Alexander served as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Biogen.

From 2003 to January 2006, Ms. Alexander served as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of PAREXEL International Corporation, a biopharmaceutical services company. From 2001 to 2003, Ms. Alexander served as General Counsel of IONA Technologies, a software company. From 1995 to 2001, Ms. Alexander served as Counsel at Cabot Corporation, a specialty chemicals and performance materials company. Prior to that, Ms. Alexander was a partner at the law firms of Hinckley, Allen & Snyder and Fine & Ambrogne.

Ms. Alexander received her B.A. from Wellesley College and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Learn more about Susan’s commitment to public service here.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Equal Justice Works will also honor Ahilan T. Arulanantham with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award at the Scales of Justice event in October. Read more about Ahilan and the award here.

Past Honorees

1990 - Clinton Bamberger
1991 - Charles Halpern
1992 - Esther Lardent
1993 - Peter Edelman
1993 - Marian Wright Edelman
1994 - Brooksley Born
1994 - Clinton Lyons
1995 - Kathleen Welch
1995 - The Honorable Abner J. Mikva
1995 - Antonia Hernández
1996 - Alexander D. Forger
1996 - Bryan Stevenson
1996 - John D. Feerick
1997 - Jamie S. Gorelick
1997 - The Honorable Paul Igasaki
1997 - David Hall
1998 - Martha W. Barnett
1998 - Jennifer Gordon
1998 - Kristin Booth Glen
1999 - Hillary Rodham Clinton
1999 - Gregory H. Williams
2000 - Eldon H. "Took" Crowell
2000 - Claudio M. Grossman
2001 - Charles F.C. Ruff
2001 - Rudolph Hasl
2002 - David R. Andrews
2002 - Katherine "Shelley" Broderick
2003 - Deval L. Patrick
2003 - Judith Areen
2004 - Thomas A. Gottschalk
2004 - Harry Haynsworth
2005 - Roderick "Rick" A. Palmore
2005 - Gene R. Nichol
2006 - Benjamin W. Heineman, Jr.
2006 - Katharine T. Bartlett
2007 - Brad Smith
2007 - Karen Rothenberg
2008 - The Honorable Elena Kagan
2008 - The Honorable George J. Mitchell
2009 - Larry Kramer
2009 - D. Bruce Sewell
2010 - Teri Plummer McClure
2010 - Blake D. Morant
2011 - 25th Anniversary
2012 - Randal S. Milch
2013 - D. Cameron Findlay
2014 - Thomas J. Sabatino, Jr.
2015 - Brackett B. Denniston III
2016 - Kelly McNamara Corley
2017 - Kenneth C. Frazier
2018 - The Honorable Sven Erik Holmes
2019 - David Zapolsky
2020 - Laura Stein
2021 - Brian Ellis
2022 - Teresa Wynn Roseborough
2023 - James L. Chosy