VOlUMe 17 | nUMber 8 | May 2010
WWW.Massbar.OrG
JUSTICE
can’t wait State renews access to justice effort, promises ‘demonstrable results’ by bill arChaMbeaUlt
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Court funding may be slashed again this year, and employees and resources are already stretched thin at overcrowded courthouses, but an intensive effort is underway to improve access to justice in Massachusetts. The courts’ commitment is reflected in a two-pronged approach, with the creation of the Access to Justice Initiative last year and the recent expansion of the Access to Justice Commission.
“I really feel that we are poised at an important moment, to make real progress in this area, thanks to the commitment of the leadership within the judiciary and the bar,” said the Hon. Dina E. Fein, who was appointed special advisor to the Trial Court on Access to Justice Initiatives. The two groups hope to play complementary roles as they determine what needs to be done to ensure better access to justice in Massachusetts, particularly for people of limited means, and then delivering measurable results. The renewed effort comes in the midst of a perfect storm: funding for the courts continues to drop, legal services are forced to turn 6
MBA Mock Trial marks silver anniversary Boston all-girls high school wins state championship
Event inspires change in veteran attorney’s courtroom demeanor
by bill arChaMbeaUlt
by JenniFer rOsinsKi
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Despite 20 years of experience in securities litigation, it took two high school Mock Trial competitions for Kevin J. Diamond to realize he needed to reevaluate his approach in the courtroom. “I found that my style should be tempered. That was probably the greatest lesson,” said Diamond, a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Executive Management Board. “What I learned is subtleness is 9
Photo by Jeff thiebauth
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SOCiAL NETwORKiNG
Globe reporter will be honored at May 20 event.
Avoiding social network risks in the workplace.
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A listing of the 2010-11 nominees.
EXCELLENCE iN THE LAw
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REGiONAL DELEGATES
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see PaGe 2 FOr a COMPlete listinG OF this issUe’s COntents.
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the Winsor School’s co-captains, Amy Bridge, Maggie yellen and Sanjana Sharma accept a $2,500 check from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation to defray the cost of travel to the nationals competition in Philadelphia. Standing with them are, from left to right: Hon. Peter W. Agnes Jr., 2010 Mock trial Committee Chair Mary E. Bassett, Hon. Barbara Savitt Pearson, Hon. John D. Casey and MBF President Joseph P.J. Vrabel Jr.
The Winsor School, an all-girls high school in Boston, won the Massachusetts Bar Association’s 2010 Mock Trial State Championship, advancing to the national competition in Philadelphia May 6-9. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the competition, the Winsor School team bested Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School of South Hadley by a 2-1 vote after a two-hour mock trial on March 26. The competition was held before hundreds of supporters and spectators in the Great Hall in Boston’s 8