Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce that Pro Bono Committee Chair Mitchell R. Edwards was recently recognized in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Excellence in the Law awards as an Excellence in Pro Bono honoree.
Mitch’s recognition reflects his longstanding commitment to pro bono service and community advocacy, as well as his leadership in expanding Hinckley Allen’s pro bono efforts across New England. Since 2010, Mitch has transformed the firm’s Pro Bono program into a sustained and strategic initiative focused on increasing access to justice and connecting attorneys with meaningful opportunities to serve underserved communities. Under his leadership, the firm’s pro bono hours increased by more than 500 percent between 2021 and 2024.
“Pro bono work is some of the most meaningful work we do as lawyers because it allows us to use our skills to help people navigate moments of real uncertainty and challenge,” said Mitch. “Access to legal guidance can be transformative for individuals and organizations that otherwise may not have it, and I’ve always believed it’s important for our profession to remain deeply connected to the communities we serve. This recognition really belongs to all the Hinckley Allen lawyers who volunteer and provide pro bono legal services to the communities in which we work and live.”
In addition to his leadership within the firm, Mitch has dedicated significant time to community organizations throughout Rhode Island. He currently serves as Vice Chair of Higher Ground International, which supports immigrants, refugees, and underserved populations, and as a Trustee of The Wolf School. Throughout his career, he has served on boards and committees for organizations including Leadership Rhode Island, Providence Preservation Society, Rocky Hill School, and Roger Williams University School of Law’s Pro Bono Collaborative.
Mitch’s commitment to pro bono work has remained a defining part of his legal career. Early on, he represented a Tibetan monk seeking asylum in the United States, an experience he describes as formative in shaping his view of the legal profession and the responsibility lawyers have to serve their communities.
Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly will recognize award honorees at its Excellence in the Law event on Tuesday, June 2, at the Crown Plaza in Warwick, RI.
