MBLA
Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
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Copyright (c) 2007 Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
c/o Damon Hart
10 St. James Ave, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Email: info@massblacklawyers.org
c/o Damon Hart
10 St. James Ave, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Email: info@massblacklawyers.org
All rights reserved.
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Newsletters
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.
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.
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
Honorable Charles R. Johnson Reappointed
Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court by
Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan
MBLA President-Elect, Damon Hart Honored as One of 15 "Up &
Coming Lawyers" for 2007 from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly!
Coming Lawyers" for 2007 from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly!
PASSING THE TORCH
November 4, 2009
November 4, 2009
ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMEBER 4, 2009 RECENTLY RETIRED JUDGE JOYCE LONDON ALEXANDER
FORD, JUDGE MILTON WRIGHT AND JUDGE JUDITH NELSON DILDAY PASSED THE TORCH (GAVEL) TO
INCOMING JUDGES BENJAMIN BARNES, ANGEL KELLEY BROWN, KIMBERLY BUDD, PAMELA DaSHIELL,
SHANNON FRISSON, AND GARY INGE.
THE GALA RECEPTION, WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS BLACK LAWYERS
ASSOCIATION (MBLA) AND GOODWIN PROCTER LLP, HONORED THE BLACK JUDGES IN
MASSACHUSETTS WHO RECENTLY RETIRED AND THE NEWLY APPOINTED BLACK JUDGES WITHIN
THE COMMONWEALTH.
JUDGE DILDAY, A PROBATE EXPERT, DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF, NOT ONLY MENTORSHIP,
BUT HELPING ONE ANOTHER. JUDGE WRIGHT, A DISTINGUISHED SINGER, TOLD THE GATHERING
THAT EACH NEED NOT BE THE BEST LAWYER OR JUDGE, BUT RATHER STRIVE TO BE THE BEST
LAWYER OR JUDGE ONE COULD BE. “THAT IS, AFTER ALL, JUSTICE,” HE SAID.
JUDGE ALEXANDER, A GIFTED ORATOR, PARAPHRASING FREDERICK DOUGLASS, SAID THAT THE
LAWYERS HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH BACK AND LIFT UP THOSE WHO WERE TO FOLLOW AND
BUILD ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THOSE WHO PRECEDED THEM IN ORDER TO INSURE THAT
THEIR GAINS WERE NEVER LOST.
THE MBLA SALUTES ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED TRAILBLAZERS.
FORD, JUDGE MILTON WRIGHT AND JUDGE JUDITH NELSON DILDAY PASSED THE TORCH (GAVEL) TO
INCOMING JUDGES BENJAMIN BARNES, ANGEL KELLEY BROWN, KIMBERLY BUDD, PAMELA DaSHIELL,
SHANNON FRISSON, AND GARY INGE.
THE GALA RECEPTION, WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS BLACK LAWYERS
ASSOCIATION (MBLA) AND GOODWIN PROCTER LLP, HONORED THE BLACK JUDGES IN
MASSACHUSETTS WHO RECENTLY RETIRED AND THE NEWLY APPOINTED BLACK JUDGES WITHIN
THE COMMONWEALTH.
JUDGE DILDAY, A PROBATE EXPERT, DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF, NOT ONLY MENTORSHIP,
BUT HELPING ONE ANOTHER. JUDGE WRIGHT, A DISTINGUISHED SINGER, TOLD THE GATHERING
THAT EACH NEED NOT BE THE BEST LAWYER OR JUDGE, BUT RATHER STRIVE TO BE THE BEST
LAWYER OR JUDGE ONE COULD BE. “THAT IS, AFTER ALL, JUSTICE,” HE SAID.
JUDGE ALEXANDER, A GIFTED ORATOR, PARAPHRASING FREDERICK DOUGLASS, SAID THAT THE
LAWYERS HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH BACK AND LIFT UP THOSE WHO WERE TO FOLLOW AND
BUILD ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THOSE WHO PRECEDED THEM IN ORDER TO INSURE THAT
THEIR GAINS WERE NEVER LOST.
THE MBLA SALUTES ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED TRAILBLAZERS.
| The Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association Honors Retired Judges, setting the stage to "Pass the Torch" to recently appointed Judges |