Committees of the Supreme Judicial Court
Advisory Committee on Ethical Opinions for Clerks of Court
The Advisory Committee on Ethical Opinions for Clerks of the Courts was created in 1990, see Rule 3:14 of the Supreme Judicial Court, to render advisory opinions to Clerks, Registers and their assistants and individuals nominated to be clerks who seek advice "with respect to the interpretation of rules of court relating to the ethical and professional conduct of Clerk-Magistrates," i.e., the Code of Professional Responsibility for Clerks of the Courts, Rule 3:12 of the Supreme Judicial Court.Chair: Hon. Barbara Dortch-Okara, Superior Court
Committee Staff: Christine Burak, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Committee on Judicial Ethics
The Committee on Judicial Ethics was created in 1988 pursuant to Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:11. The Committee is charged with providing advisory opinions and informal advice to judges and individuals nominated to be judges who seek advice "with respect to the interpretation of rules of court relating to the ethical and professional conduct of judges," i.e., the Code of Judicial Conduct, which can be found in Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:09. Chair: Hon. Raymond J. Brassard, of the Superior Court
Secretary: Pamela B. Lyons, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Committee on Professional Responsibility for Clerks of the Court
In 1990, the Supreme Judicial Court promulgated Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:12, the Code of Professional Responsibility for Clerks of the Courts, and shortly thereafter appointed the first Committee on Professional Responsibility for Clerks of the Courts, Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:13. The Code expresses standards and expectations to encourage and support professionalism among clerk-magistrates in the Commonwealth. The Committee may receive information, investigate, and make recommendations to the Supreme Judicial Court with respect to conduct, as defined in Rule 3:13, of any Clerk-Magistrate, as defined in Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:12. Rules governing the Committee's operating procedures were promulgated in 1991.Chair: Hon. Gilbert J. Nadeau, Jr., of the District Court Department
Secretary: Jane Lewis, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Court Management Advisory Board
The Court Management Advisory Board (CMAB) was created in 2003 by an act of the Massachusetts legislature (G.L. c. 211B, §6A) to advise and assist the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court and the Chief Justice for Administration and Management on matters pertaining to judicial administration and management and all matters of judicial reform. This advisory board, whose creation was one of the many recommendations contained in the March 2003 Report to Chief Justice Marshall by the Visiting Committee on Management in the Courts includes members from within the legal system and members from the private sector and government. Chair: Ralph C. Martin, II, Esq.
Committee Staff: Thomas G. Ambrosino Esq., and Carol Lev, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee
The Committee consists of 19 members: primarily judges and chief justices, two law professors, and two members of the bar. The objective of the committee is to examine and revise the judicial performance evaluation system that has been in operation since 2001 pursuant to G.L. c. 211, sec. 26. Chair: Hon. Robert Mulligan, Chief Justice of the Trial Court
Committee Staff: Mona Hochberg, of the Supreme Judicial Court
Jury Management Advisory Committee
The Jury Management Advisory Committee, which consists of six judges appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, according to G.L.c. 234A, §6, is a standing committee of the Court and is charged with assisting the Chief Justice in supervising the Office of Jury Commissioner.Chair: Hon. Robert C. Rufo, of the Superior Court Department
Secretary: Christine Burak, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Standing Advisory Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure
Reviews issues and proposals concerning the Massachusetts Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure. Reports to SJC Rules Committee.Chair: Hon. Frederic D. Rutberg, of the District Court
Secretary: Christine Burak, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure
Reviews issues and proposals concerning the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure. Currently revising all of the rules and commentary which were originally adopted in 1979. Reports to Supreme Judicial Court Rules Committee.Chair: Hon. Richard E. Welch, III, of the Superior Court Department
Secretary: Barbara Berenson, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct
Reviews issues and proposals concerning the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct. (Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:07). Reports to Supreme Judicial Court Rules Committee.Chair: John L. Whitlock, Esq.
Secretary: Barbara Berenson, Esq., of the Supreme Judicial Court
Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services
Established in August 1999, the Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services works to promote volunteer legal work in Massachusetts to help people of limited means who are in need of legal representation, in accordance with the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct (Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:07) Rule 6.1, Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service ("for the public good"). Chair: Susan Finegan, Esq.
Committee Staff: Carol Lev, of the Supreme Judicial Court
Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism
The SJC Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism is charged with overseeing the implementation of new SJC Rule 3:16 on Practicing with Professionalism, which requires a mandatory course on professionalism for new lawyers admitted to the Massachusetts bar. The rule is effective on September 1, 2013. The Committee's duties and responsibilities include: designating approved course providers; making recommendations to the Court regarding the fees to be charged for the course and any circumstances under which the fees may be waived; evaluating the course providers; reporting to the Court on at least an annual basis on the implementation of the course and an assessment of whether the program is accomplishing its intended goals and outcomes; and overseeing the administration of all aspects of SJC Rule 3:16. Chair: Hon. Nonnie S. Burnes, Chair, Superior Court Justice (ret.)Committee Staff: Carol Lev, of the Supreme Judicial Court