Yalonda Howze, a Member of the Litigation Practice of Mintz, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., has been named a recipient of the Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys Association’s Ida B. Wells Award.

The Ida B. Wells Award is named for the remarkable civil rights leader and women’s rights activist. The award recognizes women who, through the practice of law, exemplify the pioneering spirit and perseverance of Ms. Wells.

The award will be bestowed at the Association’s 35th year celebration on Saturday, April 9, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Boston Langham Hotel.

“This is a fitting and well-deserved honor for Yalonda,” said Scott Ford, Section Head of Mintz’s Litigation Practice. “Through her work at the firm and throughout the community, Yalonda has been a dedicated role model and crusader for other women attorneys, particularly women of color, working to advance opportunities for all women in the legal profession.”

Ms. Howze specializes in complex tort and product liability litigation. Her practice focuses on commercial and product liability disputes and liability prevention strategies for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device manufacturers as well as representing witnesses who have been called to testify in investigations related to health care fraud, off-label promotion, and other internal investigations. Ms. Howze served on Mintz’s hiring and diversity committees, and is also an active member of the Boston Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

Since 1981, the Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys has sought to preserve and advance justice for all people. Its mission is to assist in ensuring the fair and even-handed administration of justice particularly as applied to women of color. The Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys is similarly concerned with social policy and civil rights issues in the greater minority community.

The organization also seeks to promote legal education by sponsoring educational seminars, lecture series and panel discussions on subjects that affect its members. The Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys serves as a useful resource by aiding African-American women attorneys to become more effective advocates and a direct link to our communities.