Robert W. Harnais, Esq. Named Chair of Massasoit Board of Trustees

Oct. 16, 2017 – Massasoit Community College is pleased to announce that Governor Charlie Baker has appointed Robert W. Harnais, Esq. of Braintree to the College’s Board of Trustees on September 22, 2017 and also designated him as Chairperson of the Board.

Mr. Harnais is a partner at Mahoney & Harnais, a law firm located in Quincy, which specializes in criminal, employment, and discrimination law. Mr. Harnais is also the Contracted General Counsel for the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department. He received his BA from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and his JD from the New England School of Law.

Mr. Harnais a past President of the Massachusetts Bar Association serving as such in  2015-1016 and is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys, serving as its president from 2004-2006. He has been a member of the National Hispanic Bar Association since 2005, serving in a variety of leadership roles including Region One President, Deputy Regional President, Board Member, and Nominating Committee Member. Presently he is the President of the Norfolk County Bar Association. Mr. Harnais has given of his time and experience to a variety of local organizations, including the Braintree and Quincy Planning Boards. He has served as an advisory board member for the criminal justice department for both Quincy College and Roxbury Community College. Mr. Harnais has provided training, mentorship, and presentations to a variety of audiences including high school and college students.

“Mr. Harnais has a long history of civic engagement and leadership in the legal community,” said William Mitchell, interim president of Massasoit Community College. “We look forward to working with him as Chair of the Board to advance opportunities for our students.”

Mr. Harnais was sworn in on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 prior to the Board’s monthly meeting. His appointment fills the vacancy of Trustee David Offutt whose term had expired. Former Trustee Offutt is a Brockton resident who has more than 17 years of experience in the real estate industry. He is also an active and engaged member of the Old Colony YMCA Brockton Branch Board of Governors.