Lawyers Journal
By Roberta Holland
The controversy over Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's
nomination last summer raised the question of what role, if any, a
judge's background should play in forming decisions.
While many hailed the appointment of the first Hispanic Supreme
Court justice, a comment Sotomayor made during a 2001 speech had
some critics questioning whether her ethnic background would lead
to bias. In a play off a past gender-based comparison, Sotomayor
told attendees of a Berkeley conference that she hoped "a wise
Latina woman" would more often than not come to a better decision
than a white male without that life experience.
By Tricia M. Oliver
A strong-willed daughter of a Colombian immigrant, the Hon.
Angela M. Ordoñez took advantage of all opportunities along the way
to reach her current position at Norfolk Probate and Family Court,
where she has served as associate justice since 2003.
Ordoñez is highly respected by her colleagues on the bench and
bar alike. She is described as a "hands-on" judge who is "amazingly
organized," always up on things and ready to get things done.
By Tricia M. Oliver
The MBA's annual Gala Dinner will feature a keynote address from
Morris Dees, founder and lead trial counsel for the Southern
Poverty Law Center. In addition, the night will include the
presentation of the MBA's Legislator of the Year Award to state
Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem. The March 11 event will take place at the
Westin Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay.