Lawyers Journal

Chief Justice Marshall to headline Boston program on Sept. 17

Here is a list of judges currently scheduled to participate in the upcoming "Open Dialogue" programs across the state. Edward W. Brooke Courthouse, Boston, Sept. 17 Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Robert A. Mulligan, Administration and Management Chief Justice Karyn F. Scheier, Land Court Hon. Robert A. Brennan, District Court Hon. John C. Cratsley, Superior Court (civil session) Hon. David T. Donnelly, Boston Municipal Court Hon. Margaret R. Hinkle, Superior Court (criminal session) Hon. Paul D. Lewis, Juvenile Court Hon. Rosalind H. Miller, Boston Municipal Court Hon. John M. Smoot, Probate and Family Court Hon. Jeffrey M. Winik, Housing Court Hall of Justice, Springfield, Oct. 2 Hon. William J. Boyle, District Court Hon. Dina E. Fein, Housing Court Hon. David M. Fuller, Probate and Family Court Hon. Bertha D. Josephson, Superior Court Hon. Keith C. Long, Land Court Hon. Daniel J. Swords, Juvenile Court Worcester Trial Court, Oct. 16 Chief Justice Karyn F. Scheier, Land Court Hon. Carol Erskine, Juvenile Court Hon. Diana H. Horan, Housing Court Hon. Paul F. LoConto, District Court Hon. John S. McCann, Superior Court Hon. Susan D. Ricci, Probate and Family Court

The Massachusetts Bar Association, the Trial Court and local bar associations are proud to announce the judicial participants at three upcoming "Open Dialogue" sessions.

The series of forums, which aim to spark conversations among the legal community about improving court procedures, follow earlier sessions held in Brockton on May 29 and Lawrence on June 17.

The new sessions will be held at: the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in Boston on Wednesday, Sept. 17; at the Hall of Justice in Sprin gfield on Thursday, Oct. 2; and at the Worcester Trial Court on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Thus far, each event has been attended by Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan, as well as Trial Court Department chief justices and other judges. More than 100 clerks, registers, attorneys and personnel from across the Trial Court departments also attended each session in Brockton and Lawrence. At each program, attendees participated in breakout groups according to court practice area.

MBA Vice President Robert L. Holloway Jr., of MacLean, Holloway, Doherty, Ardiff & Morse PC in Peabody, served as an attorney moderator at the Superior Court breakout session in Lawrence.

"I view this program as a success. I hope these events are continued, because they offer an excellent opportunity for interaction between the courts and the bar on matters of common concern," Holloway said. "As an ancillary benefit, the informal interaction certainly serves to enhance relations between the courts and the bar."

Attorney moderators for the upcoming Open Dialogue forums will be announced in upcoming issues of Lawyers e-Journal.