Judicial Biography

Born:

1953, Brookline

Year admitted to bar:

1980

Year appointed/elected:

1996, by Gov. William F. Weld

Background

Education:

Northeastern University School of Law, 1980
Smith College, 1975

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Director, Executive Office of Weed & Seed, U.S. Department of Justice (1995-1996);
Assistant U.S. attorney (1991-1995);
Assistant attorney general (chief, Contracts Division) (1988-1991);
Associate, Neely & Player, Atlanta (1981-1988);
Law clerk, Supreme Court of Georgia (1980-1981).

Civic and Community Activities

Memberships/Affiliations:

Massachusetts Association of Black Women Attorneys;
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, New England Chapter;
Choice Thru Education, Inc.

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:	1.0	2.8	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	4.0	2.8	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	0.0	3.4	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	0.0	3.4	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	3.0	3.1	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	0.0	3.2	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	3.0	3.1	3.2
b) lawyers:	3.0	3.0	3.0
c) court staff:	3.0	3.3	3.5
Attentiveness:	3.0	3.3	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	4.0	3.2	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	2.0	3.3	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	0.0	3.0	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	2.0	3.2	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	4.0	2.9	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	3.0	3.2	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	4.0	3.6	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	3.0	3.0	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	3.0	3.2	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	2.4	3.2	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	0	27	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	100	67	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	100	56	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	50	24

Comments

1) Judge Tyre does not like to be wrong, and has trouble admitting when she is. She is willing to make an unpopular decision, if you give her a solid basis for it. She can be gutsy and take a risk.

Judicial Profiles

TYRE, GWENDOLYN R.