The 1990s sees further gains in MBA leadership
diversity
Since its founding a century ago, the Massachusetts Bar
Association had welcomed women and minorities when the profession
was almost exclusively made up of white men. The 1990s would usher
in much diversification in association leadership following the
first black and female presidents during the decade prior.
James S. Dilday, who served as president from 1994-95, became
the association's second black president, after Wayne A, Budd
served as its first (1979-80). And following the lead of Alice E.
Richmond, the MBA's first woman president (1986-87), three more
followed in the 1990s: Elaine M. Epstein (1992-93), Kay H. Hodge
(1993-94) and Marylin A. Beck (1997-98).
Hodge was also a groundbreaker, becoming the association's first
Asian-American president.
The 1990s were also notable for the MBA's leadership efforts on
the issue of court reform, which looks like it might be
accomplished in 2011 after winning passage in both the House and
Senate.
Two presidents in particular, Leo V. Boyle (1990-91) and Epstein,
are recognized for their contributions to pushing to
professionalize the Massachusetts court system.
In 1991, the MBA released the independent Harbridge House Report
that it had commissioned. It included recommendations for hiring a
professional court administrator. (The subject would be revisited
in 2003 with the release of the MBA Court Study Task Force
Report.)
Also, the MBA reorganized itself in 1998 under President Camille
F. Sarrouf, creating its Executive Management Board and House of
Delegates, the MBA's governing body.
The MBA in the 1990s
1990: The MBA adopts a position against the
death penalty, following a study by its Individual Rights &
Responsibilities Section.
1991: In the wake of a lawsuit filed by the MBA
and other organizations, the Sales Tax on Legal Services (enacted
in 1990) is repealed.
1992: Massachusetts Court Reform Act mandates
judicial evaluations of each judge either every 12-18 months or
18-36 months. The statute also mandates "judicial evaluation
standards" and "disciplinary procedures for judges who do not
complete programs implemented or judges who fail to achieve
judicial evaluation standards."
1993: MBA President Michael Mone appoints the MBA
Commission on Criminal Justice Attorney Compensation. The
commission, led by Past President John Callahan, released its
report, "Striking a Balance: Adequate Compensation --
Effective Representation," in 1994. The commission found salaries
for criminal justice attorneys in Massachusetts to be inadequate
and inequitable.
1994: As part of Massachusetts' "truth in
sentencing" act, the Legislature creates the Massachusetts
Sentencing Commission to formulate and recommend sentencing
guidelines for the Legislature's consideration.
1994: The MBA begins monthly publication of
Lawyers Journal.
1998: Under the leadership of President Camile F.
Sarrouf, the MBA Board of Delegates adopts new bylaws establishing
an Executive Management Board and House of Delegates. The MBA also
adds section council chairs as members of the House of
Delegates.
1998: The MBA compiles a series of Lawyers
Journal articles showcasing the rundown condition of numerous court
facilities in a book, Massachusetts' Courthouses of Shame.
The MBA holds a Statehouse lobby day for the passage of a $730
million Court Bond Bill, which is ultimately enacted by the
Legislature.
1998: The MBA issues the "Pro Se User of
the Court Survey."
MBA Did You Know?
In 1978, MBA President Roy A. Hammer announced his intention to
pursue the foundation of Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA)
in Massachusetts, before Florida became the first state to
implement the concept, in 1982.
A compromise between the MBA, Boston Bar Association and
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corp. established the IOLTA program
in 1985, with the proceeds going both to legal services agencies
and to programs that assist the judiciary and the courts.