The Boston Bar Association, an organization of more than 9,800 members,
enthusiastically endorses Justice Lenk’s elevation based on her extensive and
distinguished record as a judge and other professional accomplishments.
Justice Lenk is the most senior Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals
Court. During her nearly 16 years on that court, she has authored many
published decisions, and participated in many others, covering the widest
possible range of legal issues in both civil and criminal matters. Without
exception, her decisions are well reasoned and well written, reflecting a clear
and unwavering fidelity to the law and the constitution. Despite her many,
prolific years on the bench, few of her decisions have been reversed, a strong
indication that her decisions consistently reflect proper interpretations of the
law and, where needed, appropriate corrections of error by the lower
courts.
A review of Justice Lenk’s numerous decisions shows that she has no agenda
other than the fair administration of justice and adherence to legal
precedent. Her decisions in criminal and civil cases alike reveal not a
shred of bias towards or against either the prosecution or defense, or any party
that has come before her.
Justice Lenk’s experience before she was appointed to the Appeals Court in
1995 also speaks to her qualifications for the SJC. Her academic
credentials are extraordinary, including both a Ph.D. in Political Philosophy
from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Her
successful law practice for fourteen years at the law firm of Brown Rudnick,
where she became a partner, provided her with a practical understanding of the
law and the importance of judicial decision-making to the individuals and
businesses whose disputes come before the courts. She left private
practice in the early 1990s and served for two years as an Associate Justice of
the Massachusetts Superior Court, a valuable experience for an appellate judge
charged with reviewing the decisions of Massachusetts trial court judges.
Throughout her career, Justice Lenk has demonstrated a deep commitment to
public service. In addition to her distinguished service to the
Commonwealth as both a trial and appellate judge, she has generously given of
her time and talents to charitable and bar association activities, including at
the Boston Bar Association.
Not only would Justice Lenk bring to the SJC her keen intelligence,
experience and work ethic, but she also would bring to the Court her exemplary
judicial temperament, characterized by humility, wisdom, balance, and respect
for all who come before her.
For all of these reasons, and especially in light of her many years of
distinguished service on the Massachusetts Appeals Court, it is difficult to
imagine a person more qualified to serve as an Associate Justice of the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The Boston Bar Association trusts
and hopes that when the Governor's Council considers Justice Lenk’s impressive
record of accomplishment, integrity, and commitment to public service, they will
vote to confirm her appointment.