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Issue February 2010

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In Sotomayor nomination aftermath, some debate over value of diversity

The controversy over Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's nomination last summer raised the question of what role, if any, a judge's background should play in forming decisions.

While many hailed the appointment of the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, a comment Sotomayor made during a 2001 speech had some critics questioning whether her ethnic background would lead to bias. In a play off a past gender-based comparison, Sotomayor told attendees of a Berkeley conference that she hoped "a wise Latina woman" would more often than not come to a better decision than a white male without that life experience.

Judge Angela M. Ordoñez: From modest beginnings to the Massachusetts judiciary

A strong-willed daughter of a Colombian immigrant, the Hon. Angela M. Ordoñez took advantage of all opportunities along the way to reach her current position at Norfolk Probate and Family Court, where she has served as associate justice since 2003.

Ordoñez is highly respected by her colleagues on the bench and bar alike. She is described as a "hands-on" judge who is "amazingly organized," always up on things and ready to get things done.

March 11 Gala Dinner to feature renowned civil rights litigator and MBA Legislator of the Year

The MBA's annual Gala Dinner will feature a keynote address from Morris Dees, founder and lead trial counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center. In addition, the night will include the presentation of the MBA's Legislator of the Year Award to state Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem. The March 11 event will take place at the Westin Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay.

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