Boston Bar Association

Before we break to celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s pause to remember what we’re thankful for. . .

• The fact that the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights provides for three co-equal branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and the Judiciary.

• The unanimous passage of the Boston Bar Association’s bill providing post-conviction access to DNA Testing.

• The work of our Amicus Committee in Bird and Fisher. Our Bird brief brought clarity and predictability to the estate planning process, and our Fisher brief articulated our long held commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

• The passage of the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act, a great example of true grassroots activism, coalition building and collaboration. Democracy is not always efficient, but the process was exemplary, allowing stakeholders to speak and be heard.

• The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code that took effect on March 31^st. This has substantially improved the way business is done in Probate and Family Court.

• The passage of the Transgender Equality Rights bill. This bill was 5 years in the making, and it was high time that Massachusetts provided important protections to the transgender community.

• The CORI Sealing Order was made permanent by the Boston Municipal Court. This will allow multiple motions from different districts to be heard in one of the courts with jurisdiction over a case to be sealed. More important it facilitates re-entry.

• The appointment of Massachusetts’ first civilian Court Administrator Harry Spence. We look forward to working with him to ensure that our state courts have adequate resources for the fair administration of justice.

-Kathleen Joyce
Government Relations Director
Boston Bar Association


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