Robins Kaplan LLP is pleased to announce that Rebecca Bact has been recognized as an Excellence in Pro Bono honoree as part of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Excellence in the Law awards.
Rebecca has demonstrated exceptional commitment to pro bono service throughout her legal career, with a particular focus on advancing the rights of transgender individuals, especially those in the correctional system.
Her recent work includes advocacy for incarcerated transgender women, including filing suits against the Massachusetts Department of Corrections in 2014 and 2020 alleging constitutional violations related to housing and healthcare. She has also litigated against the Minnesota Department of Corrections on behalf of a transgender woman who was improperly housed and denied medically necessary gender-affirming care. Working alongside Gender Justice and colleagues at Robins Kaplan, she challenged these practices under the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution. More recently, Rebecca serves as a researcher for Lawyers for Good Government’s Policy Resource Hub for Transgender Rights initiative.
Beyond her legal advocacy, Rebecca serves as the co-chair of the Trans Justice group and on the board at her synagogue, Congregation Dorshei Tzedek. She previously served as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, where she co-led work on comprehensive reports examining the status of LGBTQ women-identified individuals in the Commonwealth. She also served on the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, where she worked on the Safe Schools Program Committee to develop resources and training for transgender students and their families across Massachusetts.
Rebecca will be honored at a reception and awards program on March 24, 2026.
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