Greaney honored with MBA Centennial Award
The Massachusetts Bar Association honored retired Supreme
Judicial Court judge, the Hon. John M. Greaney, with the MBA
Centennial Award on Dec. 16. Created to celebrate the pro bono
service of those in the legal field to the profession and their
communities, the award will be given throughout the state during
the MBA's 100th anniversary commemoration.
MBA Past President Valerie A. Yarashus presented Greaney
with the award following an introduction by Squillante during the
MBA's holiday party at its Boston headquarters
"His jurisprudence has touched the lives of so many people,"
Yarashus said. "Since retiring he has only become involved in more
legal works."
Greaney, who was a justice on the Supreme Judicial Court of
Massachusetts from 1989 to 2008, is now director of the Macaronis
Institute for Trial and Appellate Advocacy. While on the Court,
Greaney authored numerous significant opinions, including opinions
on one of the most complex corporate litigation cases in
Massachusetts history (Demoulas case), separation of powers and
inherent judicial authority (First Justice case), PCR based DNA
testing (Vao Sok case), same-sex marriage (Goodridge case),
termination of life support (Sharlene case), the constitutional
right to an adequate public school education (Hancock case), and
the law of defamation (Murphy case).
After serving in the military, Greaney practiced for 10 years
with the firm of Ely and King in Springfield. In 1974, he was
appointed as the presiding judge of the Hampden County Housing
Court, the second such court in Massachusetts. In 1976, he was
appointed as a justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. In
1978, he was appointed as a justice of the Massachusetts Appeals
Court, and, in 1984, as that court's chief custice.
Greaney has taught law and lectured extensively, authored books
and legal and judicial materials, and served on numerous study and
court-related commissions.
The award will be given by the president or another officer
throughout the centennial celebration to a person of extraordinary
achievement (who may be a lawyer, law professor, judge, court
administrator, legislator or other person with significant
involvement in the legal system and/or the rights and
responsibilities of individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts
and other civic bodies) who materially advanced the rule of law,
enhanced the integrity of lawyers, judges or the legal profession,
engaged or is engaging in important legal scholarship, or protected
the democratic principles upon which our country is founded.