Judicial Profiles
Image credit: Merrill Shea
Middlesex County
Juvenile Court
40 Thorndike St., Room 3-33
Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: (617) 494-4100
Fax: (617) 577-9278
Judicial Biography
Born:
April 20, 1946, Toledo, Ohio
Year admitted to bar:
1972
Year appointed/elected:
1995, by Gov. William F. Weld
Background
Education:
Harvard Law School, 1972
Indiana University, 1968
Publications:
Author, “Legal Issues for Apheresis Operators,” Vol. 3, No. 1, Plasma Therapy and Transfusion Technology (March 1982);
Contributing author, “Current Status and Utility of Emergency Medical Care Liability Law,” 15 Forum 377 (1980);
Author, “A Guide for Protective Service Workers: Preparing for Care and Protection Proceedings in Massachusetts,” New England Resource Center for Protective Services (1978);
Author, “So You Want to Know What We Know About You” and “Protecting Children and Families from Abuse” in “Children’s Rights and the Mental Health Profession,” Wiley-Interscience (1978);
Author, “Child Abuse and the Central Registry,” in “Child Abuse: Intervention and Treatment,” Publishing Sciences Group (1975).
Participation as a Faculty Member or Lecturer:
Adjunct faculty, Northeastern Law School (1985);
Instructor in health law, University of Massachusetts, Harbor Campus (1979-1981).
Professional
Legal Employment History:
Sole practitioner (1984-1995);
Of counsel, Goodwin, Procter & Hoar (1982-1984);
Associate, Powers & Hall (1979-1981);
Associate director, New England Regional Resource Center for Protective Services (1975-1978);
Staff member/attorney, Judge Baker Guidance Center (1974-1976);
In-house counsel, The Children’s Hospital Medical Center (1973-1979);
Trial attorney, Massachusetts Defenders Committee (1973).
Civic and Community Activities
Appointive or Elective Positions Held:
Member, Supreme Judicial Court Commission on Juvenile Justice (chairwoman, Care and Protection Committee and Rules Committee) (1993-1994);
Member, Newton Child Care Commission (1990-1992).
Memberships/Affiliations:
Massachusetts Bar Association;
Boston Bar Association;
Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (secretary, 1973-1974);
American Society of Hospital Attorneys (1973-1986);
American Society of Law & Medicine (1973-1986);
Friends of CASA Inc. (president, 1992-1994);
National Association of Counsel for Children;
Juvenile Bar Association;
Paulist Center Community;
Board of Managers, New England Home for Little Wanderers (1979-1987);
Director, Newton Child Care Found (1990-1992);
Somerville Homeless Coalition (1991-1992).
Evaluations from Lawyers
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Comments
1) Enjoy the experience.
2) I appear before Judge Garinger in care and protection cases on a regular basis. I practiced in the Superior Court for years, and have experienced the strengths and weaknesses or many judges.
Judge Garinger stands out for the steady temperament she demonstrates on the bench day in and day out. She is both dignified and approachable, treating everyone in the courtroom with the utmost respect. Her genuine caring for the litigants comes out in the encouragement she offers parents working to become better caretakers of their children, and in the personally selected items she gives to the children who are the subjects of these cases.
She has a tremendous memory for the history of each case, which makes it unnecessary to rehash that history every time a case is back before her. Judge Garinger always gives Counsel ample opportunity to raise or address any issue of concern; she supports discussion and problem solving. She brings a natural dignity to her courtroom, which is enjoyed by lawyers, litigants, and court personnel alike.
