Search

News from the courts/agencies

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018
U.S. District Court of Mass. announces passing of former Chief Judge Tauro; Univ. of Maine seeks assistant general counsel

newsfromcourts

U.S. District Court of Mass. announces passing of former Chief Judge Tauro 

The judges of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts announce with deep sorrow the passing of former Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro. He passed away peacefully in his home in Marblehead on Nov. 30 at the age of 87.

Chief Judge Patti B. Saris stated: "Judge Tauro was an energetic, vibrant trial judge with a passion for justice. He spent fourteen years presiding over litigation involving the state schools for mentally disabled children and left a lasting legacy by improving their quality of life and treatment. He was Chief of our Court for seven years. At the time of his retirement from active service, he had served on the trial court for over forty years, the longest time in active serve of any judge in this District. We will miss him.”

Tauro became a judge of the United States District Court in 1972. He was elevated to the position of chief judge in January 1992 and served in that capacity until January 1999. He assumed senior status on Sept. 26, 2013. Prior to being appointed to the bench, he served as United States attorney for Massachusetts, chief legal counsel to the governor of Massachusetts, and in the Army as a Nike guided missile officer.

A graduate of Brown University and Cornell Law School, Tauro practiced law for a number of years with his own firm, and was admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. He was a visiting professor of law at Boston University School of Law, and a trustee of Brown University. For many years, Tauro served as a trustee of Boston Children’s Hospital, as well as of the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States, and served on the Judicial Conference Committees on Codes of Conduct, and The Jury System.

Tauro received honorary degrees from Brown University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, the University of Massachusetts, and the New England School of Law. He also received the Cornell Law School Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Brown University Brown Bear Award, the Massachusetts Bar Association Hennessey Leadership Award, and the Boston Bar Association Citation of Judicial Excellence.

Tauro is survived by his wife, three children and many grandchildren.

-------------------------------------

Univ. of Maine seeks assistant general counsel

The University of Maine System is seeking to hire an assistant general counsel — contracting.

The work location is at the successful candidate's discretion — either on the Augusta campus of the University of Maine or the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine.

Acting under the ultimate supervision of the University of Maine System general counsel and oversight of the senior associate general counsel and, where appropriate, with retained outside legal counsel, the position incumbent will be primarily responsible for reviewing, negotiating and drafting contracts and providing legal advice to system personnel on contract administration. More generally, the position incumbent will exercise independent judgment to provide timely legal advice to system campuses and personnel, expanding preventative legal education and supporting university personnel to have greater self-reliance in handling legal matters affecting higher education and system enterprise risk where appropriate to do so.

Review of applications begins immediately. For full consideration, materials must be submitted by Jan. 4, 2019. 

For more information, and to apply, click here.