Top: Speakers during the State of the Judiciary Address (clockwise from top left): MBA President Victoria M. Santoro, SJC Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd, Trial Court Administrator Thomas G. Ambrosino and Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi E. Brieger
Bottom: MBA officers at the reception after SOJA (from left): MBA Chief Legal Counsel Martin W. Healy, MBA Treasurer Shayla Mombeleur, MBA Vice President Samuel A. Segal, MBA President-elect Michael H. Hayden and MBA President Victoria M. Santoro.
Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd highlighted efforts to increase public confidence in the legal system and enhance the user experience at Massachusetts courthouses as she delivered her Annual State of the Judiciary Address on Dec. 10. Presented by the Massachusetts Bar Association, the livestreamed event took place at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston and featured a panel discussion moderated by MBA President Victoria M. Santoro.
Speaking to a virtual audience of legal professionals, Budd noted that recent polling by the National Center for State Courts and Gallup revealed a declining belief in the integrity of state and federal courts. In particular, respondents cited the perception that legal outcomes often vary along economic and racial lines and said they view the court system as overly challenging to navigate and detached from the needs of local communities.
Budd first discussed how judges can help rebuild trust with the general population, including through the use of specialized dockets and diversion programs, and by emphasizing their commitment to transparency and judicial ethics. She also underscored the importance of the Trial Court’s annual Access and Fairness Survey, which in 2023 found that Massachusetts residents generally differ from national survey respondents in their views of the state judiciary. Specifically, around 80% of people expressed satisfaction with their treatment by judiciary staff, with just as many responding favorably to measures of access and fairness at state courthouses.
“Obviously, we are not perfect,” Budd said. “We still have much work to do, and we need to remain committed every day to doing that work, identifying and acknowledging where we still come up short, and striving to improve. Nonetheless, we are making progress.”
As evidence that the courts prioritize accountability in their operations, Budd pointed to Massachusetts’ strong Code of Judicial Ethics, the public nature of most proceedings, and the online availability of oral arguments before the SJC and the Appeals Court. In addition to seeking comments on rule changes, Budd said, the Trial Court recently resumed its Judicial Performance Evaluation program and convened a bench-bar forum to discuss the findings of a major survey regarding the appellate process.
“We actively solicit input from attorneys and other court users, as well as court employees, about what we can do better. And we take that feedback seriously,” Budd said.
Alongside its focus on procedural improvements, the judiciary has continued to work on upgrading the physical infrastructure of the Trial Court to provide reliable Wi-Fi service and digital signage throughout the system, Budd said. Unrepresented individuals also have access to eight Court Service Centers across the state and can receive free legal assistance through Lawyer for the Day programs offered at several courthouses. Budd added that judicial leaders remain committed to addressing the distinct needs of all court users, both through the ongoing efforts of the Office of Access, Diversity, and Fairness and a new employee training initiative centered on combating racism and bias.
Prior to Budd’s remarks, MBA President Santoro introduced the event as a strong example of the lasting partnership between the bench and bar in Massachusetts. That collaboration most recently produced the MBA-led Superior Court Lawyer for the Day program, which began one year ago and provides weekly virtual assistance to pro se litigants with pending civil cases in jurisdictions across the state. Santoro noted that the two institutions also collaborate on the SJC’s Judicial Youth Corps program, facilitate paid summer internships for students in the MBA Tiered Community Mentoring Program, and advocate for civil legal aid at the annual Walk to the Hill.
“The bench-bar collaboration in Massachusetts remains as strong as ever. … The MBA remains your steadfast partner to defend the rule of law and promote access to justice,” Santoro said.
To close out the program, Santoro moderated a panel discussion with Budd, Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi E. Brieger and Trial Court Administrator Thomas G. Ambrosino. Topics included recent leadership transitions within the court system, improvements made under an information technology bond bill passed in 2022, and the SJC’s approval last week of amendments to the rules on pretrial discovery.
Watch a recording of the 2024 State of the Judiciary Address.