BRIAN FLYNN

1958 - 2020

FLYNN, Brian Brian Flynn, for 24 years an attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services, died of cancer on November 25, 2020 at the age of 62, at his home in Jamaica Plain, surrounded by friends and family. Brian was a nationally recognized expert in unemployment and welfare law. He improved the lives of countless welfare recipients and unemployed workers through both skillful individual representation and systemic litigation. He was brilliant, funny, kind, and modest to a fault. Brian gave generously of his time and expertise to a myriad of colleagues and students. He cherished his role as a mentor and had an enormous impact on the careers of others, which earned him the nickname "The Mayor of GBLS." His work was recognized by the National Employment Law Project's Jerry Hildebrand Unemployment Insurance Champion Award, which noted that it was Brian's "personal qualities that have left an indelible impression on the legal services community." He also received the Massachusetts Bar Association's Equal Access to Justice Award and the National Lawyers Guild's Lawyer Award. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Northeastern University School of Law, Brian also taught courses on welfare law at Northeastern. He contributed to statewide and national advocacy efforts to ensure access to benefits for individuals with limited English proficiency. He traveled several times to Mexico to learn Spanish so he could communicate better with his clients. Brian was also a skilled union leader: he was the president of the Greater Boston Attorneys' Union (UAW Local 2320) for most of his tenure at GBLS and patiently and effectively negotiated and enforced numerous collective bargaining agreements. Before becoming a lawyer, Brian worked at a paint factory, a magazine distributor, a hospital, and a fish market. He was a member of the editorial board of Radical America, an activist with City Life/Vida Urbana, a member of the Angry Arts film collective, and a volunteer and staff member at Gay Community News. An excellent cook, he often invited family and friends to his home for entertaining evenings of food and conversation. Brian grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts, the son of the late John M. Flynn and Kathryn (Keleher) Flynn. He is survived by his spouse, Larry Goldsmith, whom he married a week before his death. He also leaves his sister Maureen Flynn Saltzman and her husband Robert, and his brothers Gerard and his spouse Stephen, Jeff and his wife Nancy, and Larry and his wife Christine. He was the dear uncle to four nieces, two nephews, and three grandnephews. He also leaves his cats Murray and Isaac. We will gather together to honor Brian's memory when we can once again meet safely in person. Please consider making donations to: Greater Boston Legal Services, 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114, https://www.gbls.org/remembering-brian-flynn and to Northeastern University School of Law, Annual Giving, 716 Columbus Avenue, 212 CP, Boston, MA 02120 https://giving.northeastern.edu/live/profiles/728-cpiac-center-for-public-interest-advocacy-and (specify "CPIAC Fund #390111, in honor of Brian Flynn").

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