Circuit Justice

Juvenile Court

Three Center Plaza
Suite 520
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 788-8542

Judicial Biography

Born:

1954

Year admitted to bar:

1980

Year appointed/elected:

1999, by Gov. A. Paul Cellucci

Background

Education:

Syracuse University College of Law, 1979
Montclair State College, 1976

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Attorney, Committee for Public Counsel Services (1995-1999);
Partner, White & White (1990-1995);
Sole practitioner, Boston (1984-1988).

Civic and Community Activities

Appointive or Elective Positions Held:

Member, Supreme Judicial Court Committee on Appeals of Child Welfare Cases;
Member, Task Force on Children Affected by Domestic Violence.

Memberships/Affiliations:

Children of Incarcerated Mothers Working Group;
Massachusetts Appleseed Center’s Task Force on Children and Families.

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

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	100	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:	100	50	24

Comments

1) Dont be unprepared. Have good arguments. Do some legal research to back up what you want. Produce good quality written motions and memos. Not everything will go as you expect, and not everything will go as the other side expects either. Dont expect to get a quick next date at first call so you can leave. You may be rebuked if you are unprepared or if you represent the child but havent visited the child recently enough.

2) Treats each side in child abuse/neglect cases in a balanced manner. Due process is well-respected. Likes good arguments and well written materials. Enjoys litigation. Knowledgeable. Pays attention, takes detailed notes. Writes careful decisions. Her child welfare decisions are well able to be defended on appeal if you represent the appellee. Can be a stickler, but will often give you a “way out” of what you may think is a “box” — but its her way out of the box. But once shes told you her way of handling the issue, you should take the hint. She believes in her opinions, but she will listen too.

Judicial Profiles

WHITE, KATHRYN A.