HARRIS, LESLIE EARL (Retired)

Judicial Biography

Born:

May 23, 1948, Chicago

Year admitted to bar:

1987

Year appointed/elected:

1994, by Gov. William F. Weld

Background

Education:

Boston College Law School, 1984;
Northwestern University, 1970;
Boston University, M.A., 1974

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Assistant district attorney (chief, Juvenile Division), Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (1992-1994);
Staff attorney, Committee for Public Counsel Services (1988-1992);
Hearing examiner, Brookline Rent Control Board (1986-1988).

Professional Activities:

Mass. Black Judges Conference;
Mass. Black Lawyers Assoc.;
Mass. Judges Conference;
Mass. Bar Assoc.;
Co-Chair, CJAM Race & Ethnic Advisory Board

Civic and Community Activities

Appointive or Elective Positions Held:

Member, Supreme Judicial Court Commission on Substance Abuse

Honors:

Certificate of recognition for outstanding service and contribution to the Dorchester/Roxbury community, Massachusetts House of Representatives (1994);
Community Service Award, Massachusetts Bar Association;
Service Award, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston;
Distinguished Alumni Award, Boston University;
Hon. David Nelson Public Interest Award, Boston College Law School;
Community Service Award, Mass. Bar Association; The John D. O’Bryant Community Service Award, Northeastern University;
Community Service Award, Ten Point Coalition;
Mary Q. Hawkes Service Award, The Crime and Justice Foundation;
WGBH Community Advisory Board Award for Outstanding Contribution;
Distinguished Alumni Award, Boston College Law School BLSA;
Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse Juvenile Advisor Award;
Boston Renaissance Charter School “African Americans Making History Today” Award;
Heroes Among Us Award, Boston Celtics, Boston Herald, Fox Sports Net for contribution to the community;
Lawyers Weekly Diversity Hero Award 2006;
2006 Award for Judicial Excellence, Mass. Judges Conference;
Inducted into the Wendell Phillips High School Hall of Fame

Memberships/Affiliations:

Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association;
Citizens for Juvenile Justice;
Boston College Law School Alumni Association;
Boston College Law School Black Alumni Network;
Board of Directors, Museum of African American History;
Eliot Congregational Church;
Dean Advisory Committee, Boston University CAS/GRS; Simmons School of Social Work Urban Scholars Advisory Committee;
Elliot Congregational Church Pastoral Advisory Committee