Alexander, Joyce London (Retired)
By: Mass. Lawyers Weekly Staff
August 1, 2001
Image credit: Vin Catania
Judicial Biography
Year admitted to bar:
1973
Year appointed/elected:
1979, by U.S. District Court Judges
Background
Education:
New England School of Law, 1972;
Howard University, 1969
Professional
Legal Employment History:
General counsel and assistant vice chancellor, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (1976-1979);
Youth Activities Commission (1974-1975);
Greater Boston Legal Assistance Project (1972-1974).
Civic and Community Activities
Honors:
Honorary LL.D., Northeastern University School of Law;
Honorary LL.D., New England School of Law;
Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship, Great Boston Legal Assistance Project.
- Reported Decisions
- Other Links
Evaluations from Lawyers
4 = Excellent 3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor
| Manages court time in a way that minimizes waiting around: |
4.0 |
3.3 |
3.0 |
| Is receptive to requests for continuances: |
3.0 |
3.7 |
2.9 |
| Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions: |
2.0 |
3.3 |
3.1 |
| Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury: |
2.0 |
3.0 |
3.2 |
| Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings: |
2.0 |
3.0 |
3.1 |
| Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors: |
2.0 |
2.7 |
3.0 |
| Addresses the following with respect |
|
|
|
| a) litigants and witnesses: |
4.0 |
3.3 |
3.2 |
| b) lawyers: |
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.0 |
| c) court staff: |
4.0 |
4.0 |
3.5 |
| Attentiveness: |
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.2 |
| Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions: |
4.0 |
3.0 |
3.2 |
| Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence: |
1.0 |
2.0 |
3.0 |
| Quality of written decisions: |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.9 |
| Shows willingness to ignore |
|
|
|
| a) irrelevant considerations: |
2.0 |
3.0 |
2.9 |
| c) identity of lawyers or parties: |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
| d) public pressure or outside interests: |
2.0 |
2.0 |
3.2 |
| Has ability to maintain control of courtroom: |
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.4 |
| Starts session on schedule and on time: |
4.0 |
3.5 |
3.2 |
| Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness: |
3.0 |
3.0 |
3.1 |
| Average Overall Rating: |
2.9 |
3.1 |
3.1 |
|
| Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.: |
0 |
0 |
26 |
| Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers: |
0 |
0 |
47 |
| Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards: |
0 |
0 |
45 |
| Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom: |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
1:00 am Wed, August 1, 2001
Judicial Profiles
Judicial Profiles
