Martin W. Healy, the Massachusetts Bar Association's chief
operating officer and chief legal counsel, was appointed to the
governing committee of the Committee for Public Counsel Services
with 14 others. CPCS is the statewide agency that provides legal
representation to the commonwealth's poor in criminal and civil
court cases.
Previously, the Supreme Judicial Court appointed all 15 members,
but the state's fiscal 2012 budget divided up the appointments. The
SJC now appoints nine members, with the six remaining positions
appointed by the governor, Senate president and speaker of the
House of Representatives, with two selections each.
"I look forward to working with the new committee to preserve our
constitutional mandate to provide quality counsel during a time of
fiscal constraint and rising costs due to expanding criminal
justice policies," CPCS Chief Counsel Anthony Benedetti said.
Of the SJC appointments, five of the nine must have the following
backgrounds: one with experience as a public defender, one with
experience as a private bar advocate, one who has criminal
appellate experience, one with a background in public
administration and public finance, and one who is a current or
former dean or faculty member of a law school.
The other six selections must "have a strong commitment to quality
representation in indigent defense matters or have significant
experience with issues related to indigent defense."
Healy also serves as a member of the Board of Bar Examiners and is
a former hearing committee member of the Board of Bar Overseers. In
the early 1990's, Healy worked with MBA leadership to formulate the
MBA's Standing Committee on Bar Advocates. He is the MBA's chief
legal advisor and liaison to the legislative, executive and
judicial branches. He is responsible for legal advice in corporate
matters and legal support in issues of public policy concerning the
practice of law and administration of justice. He serves as counsel
to the MBA's leadership team and its House of Delegates and
Executive Management Board. Healy works with the MBA's sections and
committees in developing policy, analyzing legislation, drafting
bills and testifying before court, legislative and regulatory
bodies.
"I have a long and positive working relationship with both the
private bar advocate community and the public defender staff. I
look forward to continuing these exciting efforts. There is
virtually no other area of the law as important to the public and
the administration of justice than our criminal justice system. The
high quality of representation provided by our state's bar
advocates and public defenders is an unparalleled national
model."