Advancing one of the Boston Bar Foundation’s core goals of building a more diverse and inclusive legal profession in Boston, the Austin Jones Fund has joined the ranks of the BBF’s prestigious named funds providing support for BBA public interest initiatives. The Austin Jones Fund’s $45,000 will support one or two fellowships each year specifically for Boston Latin Students to be placed in a government, court or legal services setting as part of the BBA Summer Jobs Program.  One of the BBA’s premier public interest projects, the Summer Jobs Program has introduced hundreds of Boston high school students to the Boston legal community through paid internships at law firms, legal departments and agencies across the city.

The Friends of the Austin W. Jones Jr. Committee established the Austin Jones Fund through the Boston Bar Foundation (BBF) in 1981.  The BBF Board of Trustees determined that the overall purpose of the fund be “for the benefit of those who might aspire to follow the often-difficult road traveled by Austin W. Jones, Jr. including Boston Latin graduates who would choose to continue their education but cannot afford to, those who would be attorneys and judicial administrators, but require some assistance, and those who reside in the inner City of Boston or are members of minority races and aspire to the high position of love, honor and respect achieved by Austin W. Jones, Jr.”

A Boston native and a graduate of the Boston Latin School, Boston College and Boston University Law School, Austin W. Jones Jr. became the first African American Chief Deputy Clerk of the U.S. District Court in 1973.  He met his unexpected and premature death in 1981.  Known for his generous and friendly spirit, he always made time to offer guidance and a helping hand to anyone in need, treating everyone equally with courtesy, respect and fairness.

Using the Fund’s resources to support Boston Latin students in the BBA Summer Jobs Program reflects the spirit of the Friends of the Austin W. Jones Jr. Committee by providing young people with an early introduction to the legal profession.  The connections and lessons learned through this experience can be invaluable to a young person’s pursuit of a career in the law.