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The following was submitted by the Office of Rep. Michael Day:
Rep. Michael S. Day recently received the 2026 Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA), a professional association representing plaintiff-side personal injury attorneys and civil litigators across the Commonwealth.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Day. “MATA has consistently fought for fair and equal access to justice across the Commonwealth. I am proud to stand alongside an organization committed to protecting the rights of Massachusetts residents and preserving the integrity of our civil justice system.”
Since its founding in 1975, MATA has advocated for a fair and accessible civil justice system, promoted consumer protections and provided legal education and training to more than 700 members dedicated to strengthening legal representation throughout Massachusetts. It works to preserve the American jury system to protect the health and safety of Massachusetts families and to uphold the Constitution of both the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
“We were proud to honor Chairman Michael Day with the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys’ Legislator of the Year Award,” said Thomas Bond, president of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys. “Chairman Day represents the very best of public service. He has been a consistent and principled advocate for the people of Massachusetts, for the rule of law and for a civil justice system that protects consumers, workers, families and all who depend on equal access to justice. His leadership, integrity and commitment to the people of the Commonwealth make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition.”
As House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Day has led legislative efforts on some of the most significant legal and public policy issues facing Massachusetts. He has held oversight hearings focused on the welfare of incarcerated individuals and correctional officers, led reforms to Massachusetts firearm laws, codified reproductive rights protections into state law, strengthened protections for victims of domestic violence and revenge porn and championed legislation protecting LGBTQ+ families and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction.
Day has also served on numerous special legislative commissions and committees examining complex and emerging policy issues, including psychedelic substances policy reform, election law and constitutional and legislative procedure.
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary reviewed more than 800 bills this legislative session. More than 1,300 people testified before the Committee, and advocates, organizations and residents submitted over 2,000 pieces of written testimony.
