Judge

Natick District Court

117 E. Central St.
Natick, MA 01760

Phone: (508) 653-7400

Fax: (508) 655-2613

Judicial Biography

Born:

1952

Year admitted to bar:

1978

Year appointed/elected:

2000, by Gov. A. Paul Cellucci

Background

Education:

Albany Law School at Union University, 1977
Brandeis University, 1974

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Chief counsel, Massachusetts Division of Registration (1997-2000)
Sole practitioner, Braintree (1996-1997)
Executive director (1990-1995) and general counsel (1988-1990), Disabled Persons Protection Commission
Private practice, Segal, Moran & Feinberg, Boston (1985-1988)
Assistant district attorney, Norfolk County (1978-1985)

Civic and Community Activities

Appointive or Elective Positions Held:

Member, Department of Mental Health Human Rights Advisory Committee (1990-1997).

Memberships/Affiliations:

Norfolk County Bar Association (chairman, CLE Committee)
Arthritis Foundation, Massachusetts Chapter

Reported Decisions
Other Links

Evaluations from Lawyers

4 = Excellent 3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor

	rating	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Manages court time in a way that minimizes waiting around:	3.0	3.0	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	4.0	2.9	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	3.0	3.0	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	0.0	3.1	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	4.0	3.1	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	4.0	3.0	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	3.0	3.2	3.2
b) lawyers:	3.0	3.0	3.0
c) court staff:	4.0	3.4	3.5
Attentiveness:	4.0	3.3	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	4.0	3.3	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	2.5	3.0	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	3.0	3.0	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	4.0	2.9	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	4.0	3.0	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	4.0	3.1	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	4.0	3.5	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	4.0	3.3	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	2.5	3.2	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	3.4	3.1	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	0	31	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	100	65	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	100	48	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	24	24

Comments

1) Be prepared, state the facts, plea your clients case without a lot of fluff and recommend a reasonable disposition. You will normally get the right result.

2) Judge Brooks has the temperament require by a district court judge. He is a real pleasure to practice before. He is fair and consistent with everyone that appears before him.

Judicial Profiles

Brooks, Michael J.