Notice of openings on the SJC Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services
The justices of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) invite applications for appointment to the Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services. The committee currently has multiple membership positions open for immediate appointment. Membership terms ordinarily run for three years.
The justices seek applicants from diverse backgrounds across the commonwealth who are willing to devote their time and energy to improving the justice system and who have demonstrated a commitment to and experience in assisting persons unable to afford legal counsel for their essential civil legal needs. Persons who applied in prior years may reapply.
The committee works to support and promote volunteer legal work to assist people of limited means who need legal representation. The committee presents the annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards to honor Massachusetts lawyers, law students, law firms and legal organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to providing pro bono services for the benefit of individuals of limited means. The committee also administers the Pro Bono Honor Roll; engages with law schools, bar associations and other community organizations to promote pro bono legal work; and considers rule changes and other initiatives to facilitate pro bono practice by attorneys and law students.
Applicants should submit a resume and a letter describing their experience and interest in serving on the committee by Friday, March 25, 2022, to Chip Phinney, deputy legal counsel, preferably by email to Chip.Phinney@jud.state.ma.us, or by mail to Chip Phinney, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108.
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U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bailey to retire
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts has announced that Judge Frank J. Bailey has informed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit of his
intention to retire, effective June 1, 2022. Immediately following his retirement, Bailey
will commence service as the president of PioneerLegal LLC, a nonprofit, public interest law firm.
Bailey joined the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts in 2009 and served as chief judge from 2010 to 2015. During his tenure, he presided over
numerous significant cases, including the Chapter 9 municipal adjustment case of Central Falls, Rhode Island; the Chapter 11 case of the Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church; the Chapter 7 liquidation of Building 19 retail stores; and proceedings involving David Drumm, former senior officer of Anglo Irish Bank.
Bailey has served as adjunct faculty at Boston University School of Law, New England Law | Boston and Suffolk University Law School, and he has provided legal and judicial education to students, lawyers and judges in several countries.
In addition, Bailey served as the president of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, as the judicial member at large on the Board of the American Bar Association, as chair of the National Conference of Federal Trial Judges, as a member of the Executive Committee of the American Bar Association, and as a member of the Massachusetts delegation to the American Bar Association House of Delegates.
Bailey has testified before Congress on matters of importance to the federal
judiciary, including on bankruptcy venue reform and diversity, equity and inclusion in the
national judiciary.
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National Center for State Courts releases
latest survey of judicial salaries
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has published its latest Survey of Judicial Salaries, which reflects judicial salaries current as of Jan. 1, 2022. Takeaways from the latest findings include:
Chief Justice of Court of Last Resort:
- 39 jurisdictions increased salaries in the last year
- Increases from 1.0% (District of Columbia) to 9.43% (Mississippi)
- Average increase in the last 12 months: 2.70%
Associate Justice of Court of Last Resort:
- 39 jurisdictions increased salaries in the last year
- Increases from 1.0% (District of Columbia) to 9.4% (Mississippi)
- Average increase in the last 12 months: 2.5%
Intermediate Appellate Judge:
- 29 (of 41 jurisdictions with intermediate appellate courts) increased salaries in the last year
- Increases from 1.0% (Missouri) to 9.1% (Mississippi)
- Average increase in the last 12 months: 2.7%
General Jurisdiction Judge:
- 41 jurisdictions increased salaries in the last year
- Increases from 1.0% (DC and Missouri) to 11.0% (Alabama)
- Average increase in the last 12 months: 2.65%
For more information, contact NCSC’s Dimarie Alicea-Lozada at dalicealozada@ncsc.org or 757-259-1592.
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