Mass. Lawyer's Journal - June 2011

Page 1

ts Bar a s

M

as

c i at i o n

sachu

et

so

s

M A s s A C h u s e t t s 1911

lAw Yers JournAl Volume 18 | NUMBER 10 | june 2011

WWW.MASSBAR.ORG

Tiered Mentoring Program:

by Jennifer Rosinski

#

The 10 principles that U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz lives by, and the mentors that guided her, are what she credits with her successful rise to become Massachusetts’ first Hispanic — and first woman — U.S. attorney. “Dare to dream,” Ortiz said, sharing the first of the 10 principles with participants of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Tiered Community Mentoring program at its April 28 final event at the John J. Moakley U.S. District Courthouse. Ortiz went on to list the nine others, elaborating on how each has had an impact on her career: believe in yourself, be confident, lean on family and friends, take advantage of opportunity, have diverse job experience, forge relationships, handle disappointment with class, don’t be afraid to ask for help and be positive. “It’s really important not to limit yourself and to not let others limit you,” Ortiz said. 7

The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted on May 11 to pass legislation that seeks to professionalize Trial Court operations and management by adding additional business expertise throughout the court system. Further, the bill would clarify lines of authority and reaffirm the Supreme

Judicial Court’s superintendency powers. House Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary Eugene O’Flaherty acknowledged the Massachusetts Bar Association in his House floor remarks during the approximately hour-long debate, which resulted in a 152 to 0 vote in favor of the

INSIDE

MBA centennial conference and ball

Justice Breyer lauds lawyers’ public service, wishes MBA ‘happy birthday’

•Access to Justice Awards •“Hail to the Chiefs” bench-bar panel

•MBA presents awards •CLE programming snapshots

by Bill Archambeault In his keynote speech at the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Centennial Ball, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer celebrated the crucial role that lawyers play in shaping laws, fighting for the judiciary and educating and mentoring students. MBA President Denise Squillante welcomed an audience of nearly 1,000 people in the Sheraton Boston ballroom for the Centennial Ball. Breyer’s keynote address on May 19 was the highlight of the two-day Centennial Conference. “To lead the MBA through its centennial year has been remarkable. I’ve enjoyed tremendously being at the helm of this influential organization as it celebrates its 15 Photo by Christine Peterson

Denise Squillante

Public interest law finding new degree of respect Schools help students prepare for long-term careers By Christina P. O’Neill Back in economically flush times, public interest law careers were regarded as the vocational redoubt for those who didn’t make the cut at a law firm. David Stern, CEO for the nonprofit Equal Justice Works told The National Jurist in May 2009 that he noted a change in attitude, with a newfound respect for the accomplishments of public interest lawyers, and increased competition among students for positions leading to careers in public interest law. It’s not because there are more 11

#

#

Currently underway in Quincy District Court is a pilot project involving cameras in the courtroom. Live streaming video of certain court sessions are available to anyone with access to the Internet. Those viewing the proceedings are also able to blog and comment about what is taking place. To see this in operation, visit www. OpenCourt.us and click on the “Live Stream” window. Once at the site, I encourage you to watch the live session, consider reading the background information on the project and review the posted comments. 2

Complete Centennial Conference coverage on pp. 13-15

#

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer receives a sustained standing ovation following his keynote address at the Centennial Ball.

PRESIDENT’S VIEW

Balancing the interests of the public, press and clients

legislation. On May 19, the Senate followed suit in passing its version of a reform measure by another unanimous vote of 39 to 0. However, the Senate measure eliminated a number of new management positions sought by the House and court leaders. 4

#

U.S. attorney, Suffolk Law dean praise mentors’ role

Court reform bill advances in House and Senate

Legal News

Section Review

Transform your practice through e-learning

Eliminating health insurance benefits; redefining just cause in health care; Dodd-Frank’s anti-retaliation provisions 24

21

#

#

4

FOR YOUR PRACTICE

#

MBA supports REBA ruling, court reform bill, alimony reform

Harvard Law School students in the No One Leaves project review lists of newly-filed foreclosures in Boston in preparation for neighborhood canvassing efforts.

See page 2 for a complete listing of this issue’s contents.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.