Judicial Biography

Born:

1950

Year admitted to bar:

1975

Year appointed/elected:

2004, by Gov. Mitt Romney

Bench Service:

Superior Court, 2004-
West Roxbury District Court, 1997-2004
District Court (Circuit Judge), 1996-1997

Background

Education:

Suffolk University Law School, 1975
Boston College School of Management, 1972
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, master’s in public administration, 1991

Participation as a Faculty Member or Lecturer:

Adjunct faculty, Suffolk University Law School (1980-present);
Adjunct faculty, New England School of Law (1994-present);
Adjunct faculty, Emerson College (1993-1994).

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Sheriff, Suffolk County (1987-1996);
Special sheriff/department legal counsel, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (1977-1986);
Private practice, Waltham (1975-1977).

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:	2.8	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:	4.0	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:	3.0	3.2	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	4.0	3.4	3.2
b) lawyers:	2.5	3.2	3.0
c) court staff:	4.0	3.6	3.5
Attentiveness:	3.3	3.4	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	3.3	3.2	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	2.8	3.0	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	2.5	2.8	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	4.0	3.0	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	2.0	3.3	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	0.0	3.4	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	3.2	3.5	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	3.4	3.4	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	3.0	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.:	0	23	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	100	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) Have a thorough knowledge of the cases you are citing (and even a few related cases you might not cite) in your argument; he will.

Judicial Profiles

Rufo, Robert C.