Judicial Biography

Born:

1956

Year admitted to bar:

1980

Year appointed/elected:

1999, by Gov. A. Paul Cellucci

Background

Education:

New England School of Law, 1980
University of Massachusetts, 1977

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Assistant regional counsel, Department of Social Services, Springfield (1991-1999);
Regional counsel, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Pittsfield (1989-1991);
Assistant district attorney, Berkshire County (1987-1989);
Sole practitioner, North Adams (1986-1987).

Civic and Community Activities

Memberships/Affiliations:

Board of Directors, Williamstown Youth Center.

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:	2.9	2.8	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	2.0	2.8	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	4.0	3.4	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	3.5	3.4	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	3.1	3.1	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	3.0	3.2	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	2.3	3.1	3.2
b) lawyers:	2.7	3.0	3.0
c) court staff:	3.8	3.3	3.5
Attentiveness:	3.6	3.3	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	3.4	3.2	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	2.9	3.3	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	2.9	3.0	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	2.9	3.2	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	2.3	2.9	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	3.0	3.2	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	3.7	3.6	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	2.1	3.0	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	2.4	3.2	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	3.0	3.2	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	20	27	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	57	67	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	50	56	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	50	24

Comments

1) Be sure that any cell phone you have is turned off.
Do not continue to speak after your point is made.
Show respect to all.

2) I am not sure, specifically, how she could improve. I do not expect her to be a machine and have all knowledge of every subject readily available. She is quite knowledgable of many things, however. Do not underestimate her intelligence. I have always been impressed by the fact that, despite the cynicism which has had an opportunity to build up over years of cases or the sadness associated with dealing with children, she retains empathy. There is a legend over our courthouse which says ” Let the seats of Justice be filled with good men, but not so good as to forget what is human frailty”.

3) Judge Locke, a former DSS attorney, consistently favors DSS. DSS attorneys are frequently allowed to introduce evidence despite violations of the rules of evidence. Judge Locke will also make a ruling or issue a verbal order which she then forgets by the next hearing. She is convienced that children of all races or ethnic backgrounds are better off being placed with white, middle-class families. If a child is placed for adoption with such a family, there is very little chance she will return that child to his or her parents regardless of what the parents do.

Judicial Profiles

LOCKE, JUDITH A.