I rarely get into politics on this Blog, but I have to make an exception for my colleague Attorney Robert Jubinville who is running for reelection for Governor’s Council in District 2 which covers Milton, Sharon and a good part of Metro South. The Governor’s Council is a little known political body, but it has a very important job — confirmation of all judicial nominations.
Bob Jubinville is one of the preeminent criminal defense lawyers in the state, with over 30 years of experience in the courtroom. A former State Police trooper, he is also the father of two adult daughters — one is a lawyer, the other a probation officer. He lives and works in his home office in East Milton Square on Adams Street next to the post office.
With all that real life experience, Bob has a keen eye as to which candidate would make a good judge.
Perhaps most impressive is Bob’s long standing advocacy on behalf of those suffering from addiction, particularly the heroin crisis ripping our communities apart. Bob has already ensured that our future judges have a working knowledge of addiction science and treatment and will allow people suffering from addiction to have access to treatment as opposed to incarceration.
Today is the Massachusetts Primary Election. In Democrat-dominated Massachusetts, today’s election is often more important than the general election in November. Please take the time to exercise your civic duty and vote today.
As far as this real estate law is concerned, the Governor’s Council race is important as it will shape the future of the Massachusetts judiciary. The Governor’s Council has the final say on all judicial nominations. There are two races which I will comment on.
District 3 (Sudbury, Concord, Marlboro, Watertown, Newton, Brookline Weston, Waltham, much of Wellesley): Marilyn Petitto Devaney (Incumbent) faces a challenge from Charlie Shapiro of Newton. As you may recall from reading this Blog, Ms. Devaney was one of the leaders of the shameful opposition to Jewish nominee Joseph Berman stemming from his affiliation with the Anti-Defamation League and its position on Armenian Genocide recognition.
Devaney is certainly a colorful character, but in my opinion, Charlie Shapiro has a much better background and temperament to be trusted to select the next generation of Massachusetts judges. A former teacher and broadcaster, he is a former Newton City Alderman, and created the Alzheimer’s Silver Alert Program which tracks down missing elderly folks. Mr. Shapiro has garnered an impressive list of endorsements including Rep. John Lawn, Rep. Alice Peisch, Rep. Jay Kaufman and current Councillor Mike Albano. Going forward, we need less drama and more competency on the Council. Vote Shapiro.
My Endorsement: Charlie Shapiro
District 2 (Milton, Sharon, and southern metro) Robert L. Jubinville (Incumbent) faces a challenge from Bart Timilty. Although Bob Jubinville ultimately voted against Joe Berman, I still think he’s a great Governor’s Councillor and actually one of the best on the panel. He’s a long time practicing litigator with decades of real life experience before judges. His advocacy for addiction and heroin treatment is also extremely impressive. He is also a former State Police Detective. Bob is really an ideal fit for the position.
Governor’s Council Crucifying Berman Over His Affiliation With Jewish Social Justice Organization
I rarely get involved in politics or judicial nominations, but recents events surrounding the judicial nomination process at the Governor’s Council of well-respected Boston attorney Joseph Berman has led me to take action.
As you may have read recently in the Globe and Herald, Mr. Berman’s Superior Court nomination is being held up by a group of councilors who have objected to his affiliation with the Anti-Defamation League, a storied Jewish social justice organization formed in the aftermath of the Holocaust. The councilors have severely criticized Mr. Berman for the ADL’s prior (and now reversed) stance on the Armenian genocide.
As Mr. Berman repeatedly explained at his hearing, he was a vocal critic of the ADL’s prior policy, advocated for its change, and considered resigning over the issue. I also believe the events in Armenia were genocide and that the ADL did a lot of damage over its policy. Led by Mr. Berman, the New England Chapter of the ADL, however, ultimately reversed its position.
Mind you, this is the same Governor’s Council with a member who voted no on the appointment of Barbara Lenk to the SJC because she’s openly gay.
As Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly has editorialized, the councilors have reached a new low, taking the position that membership in a social justice organization holding a controversial political stance disqualifies an otherwise qualified candidate from judgeship. Both the Globe and Herald have issued editorials extremely critical of the Council’s actions, calling it a “Ship of Fools” and “manufacturing madness.”
Before this controversy, I actually didn’t even know Joe personally, but I was so upset about what I read, that I started to do research and then write emails to the council members, as well as having a dialogue with Joe as well. I also took the time to listen to the audio of the nomination hearing. I can tell you it is shocking, reminding me of a McCarthy era witch-hunt. Listen for yourself here.
Joseph Berman has a great reputation and superlative skills and experience. Joe’s bio is here: http://www.lgllp.com/joseph-s-berman/. We need more judges like Joe who have a strong business and technology background as the bench has been increasingly populated with former district attorneys and public defenders who lack the skills and experience in today’s complex technology and business world.
Sometimes you see an injustice and you think, “well, there’s nothing I can do.” I thought that as well, initially, then I was inspired to take action. But the Council won’t change their minds until they hear from you. That’s where you come in.
Please consider sending an email to the council members who are still opposing Joe’s nomination. You can simply cut and paste the email below or write your own.
I thank you in advance for doing something small to correct an injustice. Next post, we’ll be back to real estate!
Dear Councilors, I write to support the nomination of Joseph Berman to the Superior Court. I have reviewed Mr. Berman’s credentials and there is no question in my mind that Mr. Berman is eminently qualified to serve in the Superior Court, as the Governor and your fellow council members have concluded.
However, I understand there has been some controversy surrounding Mr. Berman’s affiliation with the Anti-Defamation League and its previous national political position on the Armenia Genocide. As the Boston Globe recently reported, Mr. Berman was a vocal critic of the policy and ultimately the ADL reversed its position. Regardless, you cannot hold one position of a national organization against one individual who is affiliated with it who does not share that same viewpoint.
We need more judges like Joe who have a strong business and technology legal background as the bench has been increasingly populated with former district attorneys and public defenders who lack the skills and experience in today’s increasingly complex technology and business world.
I would hope that you will reconsider your position on Mr. Berman and give a favorable vote in the upcoming hearing.
Richard D. Vetstein, Esq. is regarded as one of the leading real estate attorneys in Massachusetts. With over 25 years in practice, he is a four time winner of the "Top Lawyer" award by Boston Magazine, a "Super Lawyer" designation from Thompson/West, and "Best of Metrowest." For Rich's professional biography, click here. If you are interested in hiring Rich or have a legal question, email or call him at [email protected] or 508-620-5352.
I rarely get into politics on this Blog, but I have to make an exception for my colleague Attorney Robert Jubinville who is running for reelection for Governor’s Council in District 2 which covers Milton, Sharon and a good part of Metro South. The Governor’s Council is a little known political body, but it has a very important job — confirmation of all judicial nominations.
