Image credit: David Spink

Superior Court

Three Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 788-8130

Judicial Biography

Born:

Jan. 2, 1949, Boston

Year admitted to bar:

1977

Year appointed/elected:

1998, by Gov. A. Paul Cellucci

Background

Education:

Suffolk University Law School, 1977
Boston College, 1970
Indiana University, M.A., 1972

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Assistant district attorney, Essex County (1979-1998);
Assistant district attorney, Norfolk County (1977-1979).

Civic and Community Activities

Memberships/Affiliations:

Massachusetts Bar Association;
North Shore Women Lawyers Association.

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:	3.5	3.2	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	3.0	2.9	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	2.7	3.2	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	4.0	3.3	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	3.0	3.2	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	2.7	3.2	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	3.0	3.4	3.2
b) lawyers:	3.3	3.2	3.0
c) court staff:	3.0	3.6	3.5
Attentiveness:	3.3	3.4	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	3.8	3.2	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	3.3	3.0	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	2.7	2.8	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	3.0	3.0	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	3.0	3.3	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	3.0	3.4	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	3.3	3.5	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	2.8	3.4	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	3.0	3.2	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	3.1	3.2	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	0	23	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	50	47	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	0	39	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	21	24

Comments

1) Be very prepared. Be concise and to the point. She will hear both sides out but does not like to waste time. But she strikes a good balance between quality and efficiency.

2) Very intelligent. Thoughtful yet decisive. Fukky respectful of all parties, witnesses, court personnel, and juries. A pleasant, solid and fair jurist.

3) Be prepared for a no-nonsense, but fair, judge.

4) Judge Haggerty presided over a 5-day jury trial in which I participated. I thought that overall she did an excellent job.

Judicial Profiles

Haggerty, S. Jane (retired)