Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association

Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
c/o Damon Hart
10 St. James Ave, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02116

Newsletters

 

CHIEF JUSTICE CHARLES R. JOHNSON REAPPOINTED

Honorable Charles R. Johnson Reappointed
Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court by
Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan

 

            Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan today announced the reappointment of Chief Justice Charles R. Johnson to the Boston Municipal Court for a five-year term, in accordance with G.L. c211B, §5. Chief Justice Johnson was named Chief Justice in 2003 and has served the Boston Municipal Court since 1985. He has presided over the expansion and integration of the court into an eight-division department serving the City of Boston.


            Chief Justice Mulligan said, “I am very pleased to announce the reappointment of Chief Justice Charles Johnson who has most capably led the Boston Municipal Court through a period of dynamic change. His motivational and interpersonal skills have made him a dedicated, energetic partner in efforts to introduce significant management reforms to enhance the delivery of justice.


            “His creative, can-do approach has resulted in the introduction of many innovations in court operations. Most recently, the Boston Municipal Court was the first department to introduce a very successful access and fairness initiative to survey court users. He is a highly regarded, thoughtful leader who will continue the terrific momentum underway.”


            Chief Justice Mulligan said that Chief Justice Johnson received extraordinary support from the judges and staff in the Boston Municipal Court, as well as from attorneys who practice in the court. He has received numerous honors from legal and community organizations, most recently as a recipient of the Diversity Award from the Massachusetts Bar Association.


            Chief Justice Johnson said, “I consider my service as Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court Department, under the leadership of Chief Justice Mulligan, to be one of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences of my personal and professional life. I am honored by his confidence in my leadership of this court department.


            “My first term focused on efforts to ensure that the Boston Municipal Court Department is perceived by ourselves and by others as a unified court department working collaboratively for the good of the whole. Going forward I pledge my attention and creativity to ensuring that the Department remains in the forefront in helping to formulate and implement a successful strategy for revolutionizing the delivery of justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”


            The Boston Municipal Court Department is comprised of eight Divisions with 30 authorized judicial positions in Suffolk County. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 379 judges who deliver justice in 106 courthouses across the state. Comprehensive management reform is underway in the courts to increase efficiency, accountability and transparency in this large, complex organization that delivers access to justice to thousands of people daily.

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MBLA President-Elect, Damon Hart Honored as One of 15 "Up & Coming Lawyers" for 2007 from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly!

 

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – September 25, 2007

The Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA) congratulates President-Elect, Damon Hart on his award as one of 15 "Up & Coming Lawyers" for 2007 from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly!

Damon received this distinguished award in ceremony at The Liberty Hotel on Beacon Hill, Tuesday, September 25, 2007.

According to Lawyers Weekly, this award is given to lawyers in Massachusetts who have been members of the Bar for 10 years or less, but who have already distinguished themselves in the legal profession.

Damon is a partner in the law firm of Holland and Knight.  He practices in the area of commercial litigation, with particular focus in technology, intellectual property, and labor and employment matters. In addition to his litigation work, he also provides business advice to clients on contract, real estate and development matters.  He counsels a number of non-profits in their unique business and organizational challenges. In particular, he has represented a number of churches and other religious organizations gaining significant experience in constitutional issues and intra-denominational disputes.

Damon has been recognized by numerous organizations for his leadership, community service and legal accomplishments. He received Boston Magazine's "Super Lawyer Rising Star" award for both 2006 and 2007, and was named one of Boston’s Ten Outstanding Young Leaders by the Boston Jaycees in 2005.

In addition to serving as President-elect of the Massachusetts Black Lawyer's Association, Damon currently serves on the Boston Bar Association's Council.  He received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from The College of Holy Cross, and earned his juris doctor from Boston College Law School.

 

MASSACHUSETTS BLACK JUDGES CONFERENCE
PRESENTS ANNUAL BOOK AWARDS TO LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS

          

            The Massachusetts Black Judges Conference presented its twentieth annual book awards to nine outstanding Massachusetts law school students on Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 in the John Adams Courthouse with their families and friends in attendance. Southeast Housing Court Judge and Massachusetts Black Judges Conference President Wilbur P. Edwards, Jr. served as Master of Ceremonies.

 

           Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall congratulated the law students on their achievements, and encouraged them to strive to make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate and to bring a renewed commitment to “the most fundamental of values—justice for all.”

 

           Each year, the Massachusetts Black Judges Conference awards stipends to deserving second-year law school students to assist them in covering the costs of their law books for the following year. Law schools nominate students based upon academic achievement, leadership qualities, potential trial skills, and need. The Book Award Committee selects the winners from the list of nominees.

 

           The Massachusetts Black Judges Conference is dedicated to the support of African-American judges, and serves as a vehicle for discussion and action on a variety of issues of interest to them.

 

AWARD RECIPIENTS 2007-2008

Shawanna Johnson, Boston University School of Law; Franciska Coleman, Harvard Law School; Karen Joe Lucien, Massachusetts School of Law; Stephanie J. Dorvil, Northeastern University School of Law; Aisha J. Milbury, New England School of Law; Doris O. Brown, Southern New England School of Law; Gregory Burnett, Boston College Law School; Adam J. Foss, Suffolk University Law School; Reginald Guerrier, Western New England College of Law. 

 
 
MASSACHUSETTS BLACK JUDGES CONFERENCE ANNUAL BOOK AWARDS 2007-2008 OUTSTANDING RECIPIENTS:

 

Front Row:   (from left,seated) Supreme Judicial Court Justice Roderick L. Ireland, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, Southeast Housing Court Judge and President of the Massachusetts Black Judges Conference Wilbur P. Edwards, Jr., and Appeals Court Justice R. Malcolm Graham.


Back Row:   (from left, standing) Shawanna Johnson, Boston University School of Law; Franciska Coleman, Harvard Law School; Karen Joe Lucien, Massachusetts School of Law; Stephanie J. Dorvil, Northeastern University School of Law; Aisha J. Milbury, New England School of Law; Doris O. Brown, Southern New England School of Law; Gregory Burnett, Boston College Law School; Adam J. Foss, Suffolk University Law School; New Bedford District Court Judge Julie J. Bernard, Co-Chair with Judge Edwards of Book Award Committee; and Peabody District Court Judge Stacey J. Fortes-White (Absent from photo: Reginald Guerrier, Western New England College of Law).

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright (c) 2007 Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association.       All rights reserved.

Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
c/o Damon Hart
10 St. James Ave, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02116