On April 7, the Worcester County Bar Association will present WCBA’s Got Talent at the BrickBox Theater in Worcester to benefit the United Way of Central Massachusetts. WCBA’s Got Talent will feature performances by lawyers, judges and clerks from the WCBA. The talent will include solo musicians, singers, bands, a comedian and a one-act play. In addition, WCBA artists, photographers, sculptors and other visual artists will display their work. The event will begin with a cocktail hour starting at 6:30 p.m. before the start of the performances at 7:30 p.m. You can support this fundraiser by placing an ad in the Playbill. Watch the livestream here on April 7, starting at 7:30 p.m. For questions, contact WCBA President Geoffrey Spofford at gspofford@lianzarrow.com.
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First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge
Sandra L. Lynch to take senior status
On Tuesday, March 1, Judge Sandra L. Lynch, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, informed President Joe Biden that she intends to retire from regular active service as a U.S. Circuit judge, upon the confirmation and swearing in of her successor. Lynch further informed the president that, after the swearing in of her successor, she intends to continue to render substantial service to the judiciary as a senior judge.
Lynch was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on March 17, 1995, and served as chief judge from 2008 to 2015. Lynch is the first woman to serve on and the only woman to be the chief judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeals. From 2008 to 2015, she served as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States (JCUS). Lynch was also a member of the JCUS Court Administration and Case Management Committee from 2001 to 2006.
Lynch received her A.B. degree from Wellesley College in 1968 and her J.D., cum laude, from Boston University School of Law in 1971. She served as a law clerk to Judge
Raymond Pettine, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, from 1971 to 1973 and was the first woman to serve as a law clerk on that court.
Lynch has received numerous honors and awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Boston University School of Law and Wellesley College, respectively, and gave the 2016 James Madison Lecture "Constitutional Integrity: Lessons from the Shadows" at New York University School of Law.
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Amendments to Rules of Criminal and
Appellate Procedure
The Supreme Judicial Court has announced the following amendments, both of which are effective April 1, 2022:
Amendments to Rules 12,16,18,28,29,31,37 and 43 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure
Amendments to Rules 4 and 17 of the Massachusetts Rules of Appellate Procedure
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Job Openings
Two positions with the Office of the
Clerk of the Commonwealth
The Supreme Judicial Court is currently accepting applications for the following positions in the Office of the Clerk of the Commonwealth:
Case and procedures coordinator
The case and procedures coordinator performs administrative functions for the clerk. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, drafting detailed memoranda, proper tracking and handling of evidence, docketing and maintaining case filings, scheduling cases, and responding to inquiries from court departments and the public.
Requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school preferred, and a minimum three years of work experience in a court, law firm or other legal setting; experience as a paralegal is a plus.
Click here for more information and to apply.
Assistant case and procedures coordinator
The assistant case and procedures coordinator performs clerical and administrative support functions for the clerk, assistant clerk, and the case and procedures coordinator. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, proper tracking and handling of evidence, docketing and maintaining case filings, scheduling cases, and responding to inquiries from court departments and the public.
Requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with at least three years of work experience in a high-level administrative support position, preferably in a legal or governmental setting. An associate’s degree or paralegal certificate may be considered if combined with at least five years of relevant work experience.
Click here for more information and to apply.
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Executive director of the Board of Bar Examiners
The Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiner is seeking an executive director to provide administrative oversight of the process by which applicants to the Massachusetts bar are screened, tested and evaluated for requisite knowledge, character and fitness in compliance with Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:01. Responsibilities include administering the bar examination; organizing investigations and hearings with respect to character and fitness; assessing eligibility of foreign applicants and of lawyers from other states; preparing the annual budget; coordinating operations of the board; preparing and maintaining appropriate records; and coordinating with various offices of the SJC and other state agencies.
Candidates must have graduated from an American Bar Association-approved law school or a law school approved by Massachusetts statute to grant the degree of Juris Doctor. Additional requirements include membership in good standing of the Massachusetts bar, or eligibility for such membership, and a minimum of seven years of management experience in a complex environment with increasing responsibility.
Click here for more information and to apply.
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Counsel with the Department of Energy Resources
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is seeking an attorney to serve as a counsel I within DOER’s Legal Division to provide legal services and support to DOER staff on various energy matters, including administrative proceedings before the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
This position will work collaboratively on a variety of energy policy and regulatory matters concerning energy efficiency, solar, renewable and alternative energy, Massachusetts Green Communities, alternative transportation and the impacts these policies may have on all energy consumers, including environmental justice, low-income and vulnerable populations. Legal proceedings with the DPU may include adjudications and rulemakings, which may have multiple parties and involve legal and policy/technical issues (e.g., rate-setting for public utilities, energy policy, equitable access for all energy consumers, and legislation).
Applicants must have a Juris Doctor degree, admission to the Massachusetts bar and some experience in legal research, legal writing, and legal procedures and processes.
Click here for more information and to apply.