Judicial Profiles
Image credit: Massachusetts Court System
Judicial Biography
Born:
Dec. 2, 1950, New York City
Year admitted to bar:
1979
Year appointed/elected:
Elevated to SJC 2011, by Gov. Deval Patrick
Bench Service:
Superior Court (1993-1995); Appeals Court (1995-2011)
Pet Peeves
Other than being well prepared, I look for the following attributes in an attorney appearing before me:
“A recognition of what are and are not the significant issues – the ability to get to the real point – the ability to listen to the judge’s questions, discern and then respond to the court’s concerns.”
What displeases me the most is:
“Conduct which fails to be respectful – of the court and of fellow counsel – and conduct which is generally unprofessional.”
Background
Education:
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1979
Fordham University, B.A., 1972
Yale University, Ph.D., 1978, Political Philosophy
Publications:
Author (doctoral dissertation), “Foundations of American Civil Religion,” Yale University (1978);
Co-author with Haskell J. Freedman, “Massachusetts Divorce Law: Then and Now”, 25 Boston Bar Journal (1981);
Co-author with Donna Ducey, “Understanding the Relationship Between the First Amendment and Land Use: Newsracks, Creches, Parade Permits and Pamphlets” published in “Selected Issues and Current Constitutional Concerns in Land Use,” MCLE No. 91-19.05;
Book review of “Expert Witness” by Faust Rossi, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (June 15, 1992);
Author, “What I Wish I Knew (or paid more attention to) While I Was Still Practicing Law,” 39 Boston Bar Journal (Jan./Feb. 1995).
Participation as a Faculty Member or Lecturer:
Faculty participant, MCLE Trial Advocacy Institute (1988-1992);
Panelist, MCLE Seminar on “Constitutional Issues in Land Use Planning” (1990);
Panelist, MCLE Litigation Basics Series (1991-1992).
Professional
Legal Employment History:
Associate and partner, Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer (1979-1993).
Civic and Community Activities
Memberships/Affiliations:
Boston Bar Association;
Volunteer Lawyers Project, Boston Bar Association;
Board of Editors, Boston Bar Journal (chairwoman, 1993-1996);
Women’s Bar Association;
Massachusetts Bar Association;
American Bar Association;
Chair, Board of Directors, Boston Bar Journal;
Fundraiser, Elizabeth Stone House Transitional Housing Project, Fund Raising;
Member, Friends of Pine Street Inn.
- Reported Decisions
- Other Links
Evaluations from Lawyers
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Comments
1) Know your material; she will.
2) Outstanding ability to identify exactly what the issue is. Written decisions are among the clearest issued by the Court.
