The Massachusetts Bar Association's Lawyer Well-Being Committee and Judicial
Administration Section, in collaboration with Massachusetts Academy of Trial
Attorneys, the Middlesex County Bar Association and Michael A. Sullivan, clerk
of courts for Middlesex County, are thrilled to present this in-person program
focusing on enhancing attorney well-being and civility.
This program will provide an in-depth exploration of strategies for improving
both civility and well-being in the legal profession. Through engaging
discussions between judges, lawyers and the audience, the session will focus on
best practices for enhancing professional interactions and fostering a
respectful legal environment.
Topics will include lawyer well-being generally, the useful impact of mindfulness,
practical strategies for managing discovery disputes, handling difficult
opposing counsel, and maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.
This program is designed to assist practitioners and judges across all areas of
practice and court locations.
The civility panel will explore strategies to maintain resilience and balance
in legal practice along with methods to improve civility.
- Judges will share insights into common lawyer
behaviors that frustrate them, offering alternative approaches to avoid these
pitfalls.
- Lawyers from several practice areas will discuss
frustrations with judges and suggest strategies to improve the courtroom
experience. They will cover how to manage bullying tactics from opposing
counsel while maintaining professionalism under pressure.
- Judges will address how they handle situations
involving bullying in the courtroom, as well as how lawyers should respond
when confronted with bullying by opposing counsel or unfair treatment by a
judge.
- Civil plaintiffs’ and defense lawyers and criminal
lawyers will explore common sources of frustration between the two sides and
suggest alternative approaches to resolve conflicts more effectively.
- General counsel for the Board of Bar Overseers will explain the legal
requirements and repercussions relating to civility and professionalism for
all practicing attorneys.
The program will highlight strategies for staying calm and focused in
challenging courtroom situations. At the end of this session, participants will
leave with practical tools for navigating complex courtroom dynamics, enhancing
civility, and promoting their own well-being as legal professionals.
This program has been approved by CPCS for 2 credits for the Criminal
Trial Panel.
A fellowship reception will follow the program. This program is free to
the legal community.
This program will be hosted in person at the Middlesex Superior Court, 200
Trade Center, Woburn. Registration is required by noon on Wednesday,
March 5, in order to participate in the program.
Faculty:
Amanda Rowan, Esq., Program Co-chair
Middlesex County Superior Court Clerk's Office, Lowell
Aisling Morrissey, Esq., Program Co-chair
Woburn District Court, Woburn
Hon. Michael Anderson, Panelist
Middlesex Probate and Family Court South, Woburn
Hon. Christopher Barry-Smith, Panelist
Middlesex Superior Court, Woburn
Hon. Catherine Ham, Panelist
Middlesex Superior Court, Woburn
Hon. Asha White, Panelist
Massachusetts District Court, Woburn
Heidi Alexander, Esq., Panelist
SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being, Boston
Joseph Berman, Esq., Panelist
Board of Bar Overseers, Boston
Maureen Booth, Esq., Panelist
Turco Legal PC, Newburyport
Marc Diller, Esq., Panelist
Diller Law LLP, Boston
Rebecca Greene Neale, Esq., Panelist
Bedford Family Lawyer, PLLC, Bedford
Linda A. O'Connell , Panelist
Mindfulness in Law Society
Tracy Ottina, Esq., Panelist
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Boston
Mala Rafik, Esq., Panelist
Rosenfeld & Rafik, P.C., Boston
Carrie Spiros, Esq., Panelist
Middlesex County District Attorney's Office, Woburn
Michael A. Sullivan, Esq., Panelist
Clerk of Courts, Middlesex Superior Court, Woburn
Charu Verma, Esq., Panelist
CPCS-Malden, Malden
Lia Marino, Esq., Facilitator
Middlesex Superior Court, Woburn