Massachusetts Bar Association Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer Martin W. Healy was honored by the Massachusetts Judges Conference (MJC) in Worcester on Nov. 9, at the MJC’s 2017 Annual Meeting. Healy was given a Special Recognition Award for his “support, advocacy and leadership to improve the administration of justice,” according to the inscription on the award. Healy is only the third individual who is not a sitting or retired judge to be recognized by the MJC since it began giving awards in 1996.
“This is a truly meaningful award to be recognized by members of the judiciary, many of whom I have been fortunate to work with over the past 29 years as a member of the bar,” Healy said, calling it one of the top honors of his career, along with Juvenile Bar Association’s Francis G. Poitrast Award and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Lawyer of the Year. “This one is very special to me, and I give thanks from the bottom of my heart.”
Healy said he was “moved” by the MJC’s award, which was unannounced and came as a complete surprise to him. He was attending the dinner as an MJC supporter and to honor Massachusetts Speaker of the House of Representatives Robert A. DeLeo, who received the MJC’s President’s Award at the annual meeting.
“I was touched to be honored the same night as Speaker DeLeo, who was so deservedly recognized for his exemplary support of the administration of justice and appropriate judicial compensation,” Healy said. “I’ve worked with him very closely over the years, and he has been a personal mentor to me. It was nice to share the evening with him.”
The MJC, which is celebrating its 35th year as an advocacy organization for Massachusetts judges, also honored several judges at its annual meeting. Superior Court Judge Richard J. Chin and retired Supreme Judicial Court Justice Geraldine S. Hines each received a Judicial Excellence Award. The MJC also gave a Special Recognition Award to Superior Court Judge Mark D Mason, who is a former MBA president.