- David A. Wilson, Executive Director
Boston, MA — For Massachusetts State Ethics Commissioner Patrick Hanley, his appointment by Governor Maura Healey represents a return to his roots in the public sector.
"I love my law practice, but I felt I had more to give," says Hanley. "I think the work that the outstanding staff of the State Ethics Commission does is important, and I wanted to serve the public good."
This profile, part of our Individually Speaking series, offers a unique look at the leadership behind the Ethics Commission and their viewpoints on public service in the Commonwealth.
A veteran prosecutor with 14 years of experience between the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and the Office of the Attorney General, where he served as the first Chief of Gaming Enforcement, he brings a unique perspective to the Commission.
"I helped draft an Enhanced Ethics Code when I was Chief of Gaming Enforcement," says Hanley. "When I applied to be a Commissioner, I wished to have a public service role as I had had in the past."
Now a partner at Boston-based Butters Brazilian, LLP, focusing on professional discipline and white-collar defense, his career spans both enforcement and defense. This professional background reinforces his belief that the Commission is vital to maintaining the public's trust in government.
Importantly, Commissioner Hanley views the conflict of interest law not just as a rigid set of rules, but as a practical resource for guidance. Having navigated the system from multiple angles, he genuinely understands the perspective of a public employee because he has been there himself.
"I have represented clients before the State Ethics Commission, and I have even called the 'Attorney of the Day' to seek confidential advice myself," he shares. "The work the staff does is vital; it's about providing that perspective tailored to a specific situation."
When asked what advice he would offer professionals entering public service, Commissioner Hanley points to sustained effort over time. "The hours are not 9 to 5," he says, recalling a lesson from long-time public servant retired Trooper Loming Chan, "They are whatever it takes to do the investigation and research required to arrive at a just outcome. As Loming told me, the first 40 hours are for the employer, the next 20 hours are for you."
That same commitment to deep diligence shapes his view of ethical leadership. When asked what "integrity" means in the context of government service today, his definition focuses on doing what is right over what is easy. "Doing what is fair," he concludes, "irrespective of whether the outcome would be popular or unpopular."
Beyond his service on the Commission, Commissioner Hanley is a committed educator. He teaches a Legal Ethics Seminar at Boston University School of Law, and has served as a guest lecturer at Harvard Law School and a Guberman Fellow at Brandeis University. Whether he is in the classroom or at the Commission, his goal remains rooted in the belief that public positions are held in trust for the whole of society.
