SPECIAL
ADVISOR FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE INITIATIVES APPOINTED
Today
Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall
and Chief Justice for Administration & Management
Robert A. Mulligan announced the appointment of a new
Special Advisor for Access to Justice Initiatives. Housing
Court Judge Dina Fein has been named to this new position
and will report to Chief Justice Mulligan. Supreme Judicial
Court Senior Staff Attorney Sandra Lundy will serve as
Deputy Advisor. Judge Fein and Ms. Lundy will assume
these additional responsibilities on June 15, 2009.
Access
to justice has been a major priority for Chief Justice
Marshall and Chief Justice Mulligan. The appointment
was made in recognition of the critical role of the judicial
branch during a challenging economy when data confirm
that more people seek recourse from the courts. As social,
linguistic, and economic diversity in the Commonwealth
grows, as laws become more complex, and as increasing
numbers of middle class individuals and the poor represent
themselves in legal matters, ensuring court-based access
services to litigants is an integral part of the mission
of the judicial branch.
The
Special Advisor will guide and coordinate resources within
the Trial Court to broaden access to civil justice for
all litigants, including self represented litigants,
individuals of modest means, those of limited or no English
proficiency, and individuals with mental or physical
disabilities. In coordination with Chief Justice Mulligan
and the Chief Justices of the Trial Court, Judge Fein
will develop long and short range goals, statewide strategies,
and best practices to increase access to justice throughout
the Trial Court. She will work closely with judges, court
personnel, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission,
bar associations, legal service organizations, law firms,
law schools and others to implement access to justice
initiatives and protocols.
"Access
to justice for all - fair and impartial justice before
an independent judiciary - is a crucial dimension of
democracy itself. Massachusetts is among the leading
states fully committed to act on the fundamental principle
that every resident who seeks justice will have meaningful
access to our courts," said Chief Justice Marshall. "Judge
Fein is uniquely qualified by talent, commitment, and
experience to work with Chief Justice Mulligan and the
Trial Court Chief Justices to build on the Judiciary's
many successful initiatives to keep our courthouses open
to all."
Chief
Justice Mulligan said, "Difficult economic times
provide a greater incentive to expand partnerships with
the bar and community organizations to ensure access
to justice for all citizens. The Trial Court will benefit
from Judge Fein's able assistance to achieve better use
of existing resources, consistent replication of best
practices already in place and ongoing accomplishments
to assure our progress in this important area. I greatly
appreciate the commitment of Chief Justice Steven Pierce
and the Housing Court to enable Judge Fein to serve in
this key role."
Appointed
to the bench in 1999, Judge Fein is presently the First
Justice of the Housing Court, Western Division, where
she will continue to sit part time. She is a member of
the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and was
formerly a member of the Massachusetts State Planning
Board for Civil Legal Services. An adjunct professor
at Western New England College School of Law, Judge Fein
currently teaches a course on Access to Justice.
"Insuring
that the promise of justice is accessible to all is a
core responsibility of the judicial branch," said
Judge Fein. "The rule of law does not exist for
any unless it exists for all. This initiative is intended
to support the ongoing efforts of many people in the
Trial Court who are committed to fulfilling our core
mission. I am deeply grateful to Chief Justice Marshall
and Chief Justice Mulligan for their leadership on access
to justice and am deeply honored that they have asked
me to join in this important work."
Senior
Attorney Sandra Lundy was the staff member for the Supreme
Judicial Court's Steering Committee on Self-Represented
Litigants, chaired by Appeals Court Justice Cynthia J.
Cohen. In addition to her new assignment as Deputy Advisor
with Judge Fein, Ms. Lundy will continue in her role
as Senior Staff Attorney at the Supreme Judicial Court.
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