Our Mission
Bringing together Albanian-American legal professionals to promote the practice of law, support the next generation of attorneys, and encourage civic engagement.
Our History
Founded in 2010 by the Hon. Robert N. Tochka, the AABA is the first organization of its kind to bring together law students, lawyers, and judges to promote the practice of law within the Albanian-American community.
Our networking events, professional panels, and educational resources, provide a platform for Albanian-American legal professionals to build relationships, expand their knowledge of the law, and explore the countless opportunities in the legal profession.
Based in Boston, a hub of higher education, we are especially committed to mentoring the next generation of Albanian-American lawyers who will go on to serve as advocates for individuals, businesses, governments, and their own communities.
Founded in 2010 by the Hon. Robert N. Tochka, the AABA is the first organization of its kind to bring together law students, lawyers, and judges to promote the practice of law within the Albanian-American community.
Our networking events, professional panels, and educational resources, provide a platform for Albanian-American legal professionals to build relationships, expand their knowledge of the law, and explore the countless opportunities in the legal profession.
Based in Boston, a hub of higher education, we are especially committed to mentoring the next generation of Albanian-American lawyers who will go on to serve as advocates for individuals, businesses, governments, and their own communities.
About the Founder: Judge Robert N. Tochka |
|
Judge Robert N. Tochka founded the AABA to bring together members of the Albanian-American bar and encourage students to actively engage in their communities and pursue careers in law. Believed to be the first Albanian-American judge in Massachusetts, he served as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts District Court from 2002 to 2004, an Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court from 2004 to 2014, and an Associate Justice of the Suffolk Superior Court from 2014 to 2021. Now retired, Judge Tochka teaches at New England Law | Boston and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.
His father emigrated to the United States from Korçë, Albania at the age of seventeen and Judge Tochka grew up in Boston, MA. He received a BA from Boston College in 1978 and a JD from St. Louis University School of Law in 1981. Judge Tochka began his career as a prosecutor in the Boston Suffolk County District Attorney's Office before being promoted to the Homicide Unit. Between 1997 to 2002, he served as the Chief of the Gang Unit prosecuting major crimes. As a judge, he began a probation program to help gang-involved youth stay out of prison and pursue education and job opportunities. He also helped create an advanced trial training program to help young attorneys develop their oral advocacy skills, and a summer internship program for law students from diverse backgrounds to work with judges of the Boston Municipal Court. Perhaps one of his most significant contributions, Judge Tochka founded the AABA in 2010. He continues to serve on the AABA board and is actively involved in its leadership.
|
