Circuit Justice

Probate & Family Court

Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court
Suite 210 – 2 Center Plaza
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 788-6600

Judicial Biography

Born:

1953

Year admitted to bar:

1977

Year appointed/elected:

1998, by Gov. A. Paul Cellucci

Background

Education:

Western New England College School of Law

Professional

Legal Employment History:

First assistant register, Franklin County Probate & Family Court (1983-1998)
Partner, Ducharme, Moriarty, Rainaud & Wilson, Holyoke
Partner, O’Connor, McDonough & Rainaud, Holyoke

Civic and Community Activities

Memberships/Affiliations:

Franklin County Futures Lab Task Force

Reported Decisions

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:	3.1	2.7	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	3.3	2.8	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	0.0	2.4	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	0.0	2.5	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	3.2	2.8	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	2.8	2.7	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	3.7	2.9	3.2
b) lawyers:	3.6	2.8	3.0
c) court staff:	3.8	3.4	3.5
Attentiveness:	3.6	3.0	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	3.1	2.9	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	3.0	2.8	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	2.8	2.7	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	3.1	2.6	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	2.9	2.6	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	3.3	3.0	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	3.2	3.2	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	3.4	2.9	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	3.1	2.8	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	2.9	2.8	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	0	24	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	0	30	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	67	41	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	32	24

Comments

1) Get there first thing. If you are ready to go, he will hear you.

2) This Judge gets his stuff Done on time all the time.

3) Be well-prepared and expect a positive, professional handling of the case by the judge. He is typically inclined to listen, and even if he disagrees with the conduct or argument of a litigant, he handles it effectivley, but courteously.

4) Judge Rainaud is consistently courteous and always professional.

5) Listen to both sides before making a decision. Allow each side to respond to the other at least once. Not make rash decisions or inappropriate comments.

Judicial Profiles

RAINAUD, STEPHEN M.