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Suffolk Law School Alumni Magazine Suffolk University Publications

Winter 2021

Suffolk University Law School Alumni Magazine, Winter 2021 issue

Suffolk University Law School

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This Magazine is brought to you for free and open access by the Suffolk University Publications at Digital Collections @ Suffolk. It has been accepted for inclusion in Suffolk Law School Alumni Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital Collections @ Suffolk. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SUFFOLK LAW ALUMNI MAGAZINE 02 A MESSAGE FROM DEAN PERLMAN 03 SUFFOLK LAW BY THE NUMBERS 04 NATIONAL HONORS FOR CIVIC-MINDED STUDENT 04 FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM GETS $1M GRANT 04 THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS TURNS TO SUFFOLK 05 ALUMNA DESIGNS DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS APP 05 NEW DEGREE PROGRAM FOR LIFE SCIENCES LAW 05 PROFESSOR EARNS ABA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 06 NEW LAW FACULTY ON ISSUES THAT MATTER 08 LEGAL 500 RECOGNIZES RECENT GRADUATE 08 RECOGNITION FROM THE NATIONAL BLACK PRE-LAW CONFERENCE 08 SUFFOLK LAW HELPS LAUNCH NATIONAL POLICING A SAGE CONSORTIUM 09 MICHAEL J. NICHOLSON: MAYOR FROM BY DAY, LAW STUDENT BY NIGHT 10 DEA SUFFOLK LAW STUDENT WINS PATENT AWARD 11 NEW GROUP ASSISTS FIRST -GEN STUDENTS 12 CLOSING 35 COVID-19 PHD’S JUSTICE GAP ENROLLED AT 12 NY TIMES SUFFOLK L HIGHLIGHTS 13 A QUICK EVICTION RELIEF TURN T O WA R D 13 CLINICS FORGE THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM AHEAD IN FACE OF PANDEMIC 13 EMERGENCY FUND HELPS STUDENTS IMPACTED BY COVID 14 SERGE GEORGES JR. NOMINATED TO SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT 17 BRETT FREEDMAN ADVISES THE SSCI 18 REGINA HOLLOWAY’S CAREER IN POLICE OVERSIGHT TAKES A NEW TURN 19 THREE ALUMNI MAKE $1M PLEDGES IN SINGLE YEAR 20 ALL RISE: CELEBRATING SUFFOLK LAW’S FEMALE LEADERS 21 ALUMNI CONTRIBUTIONS WITH PERSONAL MEANING 21 ERNST GUERRIER PAYS IT FORWARD 22 DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION AT SUFFOLK LAW 25 TRANSACTIONAL LAW MEETS SOCIAL JUSTICE 26 DEAN PERLMAN HELPS LEAD ACCESS-TO-JUSTICE-EFFORT 27 SUFFOLK LAW LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE HYBRID ONLINE JD PROGRAM 28 EMPATHY AND REHABILITATION, ALUMNI FORGE NEW PATHS FOR THE COURTS 32 SUFFOLK LAW RESPONDS TO THE HOUSING CRISIS 38 WALK IN MY SHOES: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BLACK WOMAN ATTORNEY 41 HONORING THE MEMORY OF A RISING STAR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 42 DEAN’S CABINET GROWS BY FIVE 44 STUDENT AWARD NAMED FOR FORMER DEAN ROBERT SMITH WINTER 2021 49 REMEMBERING KENNEDY FAMILY ADVISOR GERARD DOHERTY SUFFOLK CONTENTS LAW Dean Andrew Perlman

Executive Editor Greg Gatlin

Editor-in-Chief Michael Fisch

Associate Editor Katy Ibsen

Design Jenni Leiste

Contributing Writers Kara Baskin Beth Brosnan Alyssa Giacobbe Jon Gorey Mark Potts

Contributing Photographers Michael J. Clarke Adam Johnson

Copy Editor Janet Parkinson

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Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine is published once a year by Suffolk University Law School. The magazine is printed by Lane Press in Burlington, SUFFOLK LAW VT. We welcome readers’ comments. RESPONDS TO THE Contact us at 617-573-5751, [email protected], or at Editor, Suffolk HOUSING CRISIS Law Alumni Magazine, 73 Tremont Tackling Discrimination St., Ste. 1308, Boston, MA 02108- and Affordable Housing 4977. c 2021 by Suffolk University. All publication rights reserved. Head On

EMPATHY AND REHABILITATION Suffolk Law Community Helps Forge New Paths for the Courts 28

1 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 02 20 Posthumous Honors for A MESSAGE FROM DEAN Professor Victoria Dodd ANDREW PERLMAN 20 CATIC Foundation Supports Accelerator- 04 to-Practice Program LAW BRIEFS 21 Alumni Contributions With Personal Meaning 12 21 Ernst Guerrier Pays It PANDEMIC PIVOT Forward 12 Closing the COVID-19 Justice Gap 22 12 NY Times Highlights LAW COMMUNITY Eviction Relief Tool 22 Diversity, Equity, and 38 13 A Quick Turn Toward Inclusion at Suffolk Law the Virtual Classroom 25 Transactional Law 13 Clinics Forge Ahead in Meets Social Justice WALK IN MY SHOES: Face of Pandemic 26 Dean Perlman Helps A Day in the Life of a Black Woman Attorney 13 Emergency Fund Helps Lead Access-to-Justice Students Impacted by Effort COVID-19 27 Suffolk Law Launches Innovative Hybrid 14 Online JD Program IMPACTFUL ALUMNI 41 Honoring the Memory 14 Serge Georges, Jr. of a Rising Star in Nominated to Supreme Criminal Justice Judicial Court 17 Brett Freedman Advises 42 Senate Intelligence DEAN’S CABINET Committee 18 Regina Holloway’s 44 Career in Police RETIREMENTS Oversight Takes a New Turn 45 CLASS NOTES 19 GIVING BACK 49 19 Three Alumni Make IN MEMORIAM: $1M Pledges in GERARD DOHERTY Single Year 20 All Rise: Celebrating Suffolk Law’s Female Leaders

1 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 MESSAGE

A MESSAGE FROM DEAN ANDREW PERLMAN

Dear Suffolk Law Alumni: The past year is one we will not soon forget. We have faced a deadly global pandemic, political polarization, a severe economic downturn, and a reckoning on issues of racial and social justice. Suffolk Law alumni are at the forefront of tackling these kinds of challenges, and this issue of the Alumni Magazine covers just some An exceptional group of first-year making strides to ensure that our community of their accomplishments. For example, students. The fall 2020 entering class was is diverse and inclusive. This year, we began our graduates are addressing flaws in the 9% larger than we were expecting, and our taking additional steps in a wide range of criminal justice system; they are working 409 first-year students have median LSAT areas, such as admissions, the curriculum, within the government, at the federal, scores (154) and undergraduate GPAs (3.44) and hiring, to advance that important work. state, and local level, to solve a wide range that were the strongest of any Suffolk Law Transforming legal education. of pressing problems; and they are raising class in the past 10 years. Suffolk Law has launched a pioneering new essential concerns about the obstacles that Increasing bar pass rates. For the Hybrid JD Program (HJD). The program, lawyers of color face in our profession. class of 2020, Suffolk Law’s first-time which had been in the works long before Suffolk Law faculty and students are bar pass rate in Massachusetts increased the pandemic, is the first in the country also playing their part. For instance, just substantially to 80.7%. This is our highest to offer full- and part-time students a this year, they have uncovered pervasive first-time bar pass rate in six years. traditional in-person first-year classroom discrimination in the Boston housing market, Record-setting donations. The experience, followed by the option of taking led an international effort to automate court Law School received three $1 million all remaining classes online. forms for the public while courthouses are commitments in one year. These were the In this issue of the magazine, you will closed, and established a new transactional three largest commitments ever made by find more details about these developments clinic that offers legal assistance to small living Suffolk Law alumni, and two were as well as stories about the many ways businesses during difficult economic times. made after the start of the pandemic. We that all of you—Suffolk Law alumni—are In these and so many other ways, also now have 45 Dean’s Cabinet members, making a difference. the Suffolk Law community is making a each of whom has committed at least Thank you for everything that you do, difference in a changing, challenging world. $50,000 to advance the Law School’s work. both through your professional impact At the same time, we are carrying out our These contributions are enhancing our and your contributions to Suffolk Law. core mission of providing an outstanding programs and ensuring that Suffolk Law Together, we are advancing the Law legal education to talented students who remains affordable to everyone regardless School’s longstanding mission of providing want to achieve professional success. Here of financial circumstances. an exceptional, practice-oriented legal are some recent notable developments: Top rankings in experiential education that enables our graduates to Continuing classes in a pandemic. education. Suffolk Law is the only school make a difference in the world. That mission In March, we temporarily moved our entire in the country that has had four top-25 has never been more important. program online to respond to the public ranked legal skills specialties in U.S. News & health crisis. Our faculty and staff then World Report for five years in a row (2017–21 Warmest regards, worked hard over the summer to prepare editions). for a fall semester that has included a mix Diversity, equity, and inclusion. The of in-person and online classes that are national focus on issues of racial and social interactive, engaging, and delivering on our justice is reflected in our own community. educational promise. For several years, the Law School has been Andrew Perlman

2 3 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 SUFFOLK LAW BY THE NUMBERS ONE OF IN 3Governor Baker has nominated7 Suffolk Law alum and adjunct faculty member Judge Serge Georges, Jr. JD’96 to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. If confirmed, Judge Georges would become TEN the third Suffolk Law graduate to join the new $1 million The incoming class has the Commonwealth’s seven-member high 3commitments in best academic credentials court in the last four years, joining Elspeth the last year. of any in the last 10 years. Cypher JD’86 and Frank Gaziano JD’89.

The number45 of Dean’s Cabinet members. Each has committed $50,000 or more to Suffolk Law. THE ONLYONE LAW SCHOOL WITH FOUR TOP-25 LEGAL SKILLS PROGRAMS FOR FIVE YEARS IN A ROW, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT (2017–21 EDITIONS). FIRSTIN LEGAL TRIAL DISPUTE THIRTY WRITING CLINICS ADVOCACY RESOLUTION 10 months after graduation, the Class of 2019 had the best employment outcomes of any graduating Suffolk Law class in at # # # # least 30 years. 5 14 20 22

2 3 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 S CIVIC-MINDED STUDENT NATIONAL HONORSFOR BRIEFS LAW ih niet let and cases their get clients to attempting working indigent with Court, Municipal Faisal volunteered in Boston good thingshappen.” to bear—and determination and thathe brings warmth our students, fellow for advocating through or Program, Brennan Marshall kids high school teaching community, helping clients in the immigrant of told National Jurist Clinic, director Immigration the Shah, Ragini and Professor tenacious,” yet ease, warm at gentle, being of the country. is given to just 10 students across the Year.Student of honor The uig i 1 summer, 1L his During quality great this has “Sam National Jurist the for was finalist a named JD’20 Faisal am “hte he’s “Whether . 2020 Law 2020 two years inthePersian Gulf. from 2010 to captain 2015, stationed for Corps Marine U.S. a facing homelessness. Rhuda was were who family, his and war of prisoner Army U.S. former a of eviction the stop helped he Justin Rhuda JD’19, noting that Last year, the Year shortlistfour times. of Student the made has Law judges deciding thefinal round. federal court—with moot school high preeminent students went on to win the his of in One law. class constitutional school high public a instruct to week a times few a commuting Program, Brennan Marshall School’s Law the in reported. dismissals, the on 12 for nine went He dismissed. In the last five years, Suffolk years, five last the In Faisal serveda mentor as National Jurist Suffolk LawAlumni Magazine|Winter 2021 National Jurist

honored

4 received fundingto support its work. $4.2millioningrant has program the 2012, Since categories. protected other and vouchers, housing of use the race, the of basis the on area in Boston tenants against has discrimination HDTP widespread the attorneys, uncovered rights civil of generation next the training to to addition In work.recognized million nationally its continue $1 than more totaling grant three-year a (HDTP) has awarded Suffolk’s Housing Discrimination Testing Program PROPELS FAIR HOUSINGEFFORT $1 MILLIONGOVERNMENT GRANT potential to revolutionize data collection and analysis in trial trial courts throughout the country. in analysis and collection the data revolutionize offers to it importantly,potential Most litigants. se pro for processes data by hand, speeding up court response times and simplifying employeescourt means That system. case in fill to need not will court’sa management directlyinto case forms court fromthose data bring to pandemic, the beyond last that tools building is Lab Trusts,the Charitable Pew The from order.support With restraining a like issues legal forTurbo Tax,but think contact; throughwithout the walk litigants need for physicalcourt forms that Technologyinterviews guided mobile-friendly created Lab SUFFOLK TRUSTS TURNSTO THE PEWCHARITABLE h ..Dprmn fHousingandUrbanDevelopment U.S.The of Department In response to the pandemic, Suffolk’s Legal Innovation & Innovation Legal Suffolk’s pandemic, the to response In GRANTS paralyzed in 2001 during an attempted “precision “precision attempted an immobilization technique” by aGeorgia police officer. during 2001 in paralyzed was who man a by brief brought case a Court Supreme a in filed students Law Suffolk and Blum chases. car end to used maneuver driving police controversial WASHINGTON POST, AUGUST 24, 2020 “DEADLY FORCEBEHIND THE WHEEL” Professor Emerita Karen Blum addresses a a addresses Blum Karen Emerita Professor IN THEMEDIA

Photographs from left: Michael J. Clarke (2), Adobe, Michael J. Clarke Suffolk LawAlumni Magazine|Winter 2021 5 LAW BRIEFS

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME ALUMNA DESIGNS DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS APP NEW DEGREE PROGRAM FOR LIFE SCIENCES LAW efense attorneys, especially when master list of community-based resources. they’re handling low-level offenses No place to go to do a comprehensive search In collaboration with Suffolk’s D like small-quantity drug possession where you could learn about programs and Sawyer Business School and the and petty theft, often ask judges to divert determine if they had openings,” she says. College of Arts & Sciences, the Law their clients into social programs—such The idea that young people would lose School has launched a new Master of as substance abuse treatment or group an opportunity for professional help and a Science in Law: Life Sciences degree. therapy—to avoid a criminal record. shot at redemption largely because lawyers The interdisciplinary program is They do that in part because the effects and social workers didn’t have a basic web designed to help students secure jobs of a criminal record can be so far-reaching: resource seemed wrong. and advance careers in the life sciences, ineligibility for college scholarships So she conquered her fear of coding, one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields or financial aid, lost opportunities for turning to Suffolk Legal Innovation for job growth. A 2019 Massachusetts employment, and denials for private and & Technology (LIT) Lab teachers for Biotechnology Education Foundation public housing. instruction. And then she built the tool report indicates that the state does not While working in Suffolk’s Juvenile she envisioned, the Juvenile Resource have enough suitably trained workers for Defender Clinic, Nicole Siino JD’18 saw Finder. Today, Massachusetts attorneys available life sciences positions and that how difficult it was to find her clients (and anyone else, for that matter) can filling openings often takes more than a place in treatment or job programs check her app on their phones from a three months as employers compete to before they were arraigned, and her courtroom—and help their clients avoid hire promising candidates. student colleagues and public defenders the potentially devastating effects of a experienced the same problem. criminal record. “I sat in court and listened to judges, QUESTIONS? attorneys, and probation officers talk about Siino is a consultant focusing on legal innovation Contact Jennifer Karnakis at dozens of programs designed to help juveniles and technology at Fireman & Company. Find her [email protected]. succeed and discovered that there was no app at bit.ly/NicoleApp2020.

PROFESSOR EARNS ABA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD t an event headlined by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Suffolk Law Professor Janice C. Griffith received a A Lifetime Achievement award from the American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law for her years of service and impressive professional accomplishments. She began her career as an associate with the Wall Street firm Hawkins, Delafield & Wood, then served as general counsel for New York City’s Housing and Development Administration. Griffith also served as Suffolk University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and dean of Georgia State University College of Law.

4 5 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 LAW BRIEFS

NEW SUFFOLK LAW FACULTY IN THE MEDIA ON ISSUES THAT MATTER “TELL US ABOUT A LEGAL ISSUE THAT IS ANIMATING YOU.” NEW PROFESSORS WEIGH IN

JENNIFER STEPHEN CIARIMBOLI CODY Assistant Professor of Academic Support Assistant Professor BA, Boston University BA, Temple University LIVING TOGETHER? YOU MAY NEED SOME JD, University of Notre Dame Law School MPhil, Cambridge University LEGAL ADVICE JD, PhD, University of California, Berkeley Ciarimboli served as in-house counsel at A recent study by the Pew Re:Sources and at Sapient Corporation, Before coming to Suffolk Law, Cody Research Center has found for the where she advised on a variety of global was a research director at Berkeley Law’s first time that the percentage of legal issues, including contracts and Human Rights Center and prosecuted people cohabiting is higher than the compliance. Prior to working in-house, she criminal cases for the U.S. Attorney’s percentage of married couples. was an associate at Goodwin Procter LLP. Office (Eastern District, California). In March, Boston News 25 turned His interviews with hundreds of child to family law expert Professor Remote bar complexities soldiers and other survivors have helped Maritza Karmely to ask if she had “Due to the pandemic, 2020 graduates determine how best to prepare, support, any legal advice for people living dealt with months of changes to the dates and protect witnesses who testify against together. and format of the bar examination. Most perpetrators of mass violence. She had several recommendations: students took a remotely administered Put your names on all assets. Hire test in October rather than a live exam in Supporting witnesses of war crimes an attorney for four important the summer. I’m thinking a lot about how “Witnesses are the lifeblood of documents—your house deed, your those changes impacted our students, international criminal trials. Most victims will, a power of attorney for financial whether they disproportionately affected and witnesses have survived killings, decisions, and a health care proxy. particular groups, and how I can support torture, or the destruction of their homes. Marriage provides tax benefits as our future graduates who are dealing For many, testifying in a war crimes trial well as safeguards if couples decide with continuing uncertainty around the requires an act of great courage, especially to split up, she added. For example, administration of the exam.” when perpetrators still walk the streets unmarried fathers have fewer rights of their villages and towns. Criminal than married fathers when it comes prosecutors must be part of national and to custody, at least until a judge gets international efforts to support and protect involved. victims and witnesses and help to restore communities affected by violence.”

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Photographs from left: Adobe, Michael J. Clarke (5) respect and need.” mutual on built compromises lasting reach to conflict by asunder riven parties uniting law,empathic cooperation in the practice of for manner effective more a us gives Szto, C. Mary Professor by forth put first model, and malice bitterness. As such, the hired dove lawyering perpetuate to instruments as restraint, using reconciliation, and healing rather than acting peacemaker, deliberate a as solving problem creative in engage to should advocate for the ‘hired dove’ attorney Saying no to the“hired gun” Education’s Office forCivilRights. of U.S. Department the for attorney team Projects Special the as enforcement rights civil federal led also He appeal. was on upheld that judgment billion $14 a winning in participated He landmark pro bono school-finance litigation, billion. $166 over valued at buyouts he leveraged acquisitions, where and and securities, LLP, mergers in Bartlett specialized & Thacher “We often seek a ‘hired gun,’ but we we but gun,’ ‘hired a seek often “We Simpson with law practiced Dyson JD, School Columbia Law BA, Columbia University MAURICE DYSON Professor BA, MA, JD, University of California, Berkeley California, BA, MA,JD, University of collective, for resolving the ensuing conflicts?” the and individual the of levels the at needed, are modalities new what And collaboration? overload) cognitive the possibilities for and agreement undermine or misinformation, misunderstanding, through (whether ecology the information then how does pollution of nuclear commons, the or of part is information threat.If gender, climate race, pandemic, religion, the change, to related be whether they questions, existential fundamental around polarization increasing experiencing Collaboration ina“post-truth”era Mandarin Chinese, Farsi, andFrench. He Arabic, including Capital. languages, several Macquarie speaks at strategy East Middle and Asia for president strategic vice senior a global for director Westportrelationshipsat Innovations; as group; and senior acquisitions a as and mergers China Linklaters’ in associate an as group; finance Islamic and East Middle Spalding’s & King Suffolk LawAlumni Magazine|Winter 2021 “In our so-called post-truth era, we are are we era, post-truth so-called our “In in associate an as worked has Khadem MA, PhD, University Harvard KHADEM ALI ROD Assistant Professor 7 legal issuesarelegal vast!” immigration—the employment, business, Tax, others. among programs, education other and labor, money, with and groups oppressed immigrants support to area, Boston Greater Mutual the in the including country, across other. up sprung each have networks aid support to different in ways together come have people year.horrible Regardless,a been has 2020 nowand firesraging the along Coast. West TaylorGeorgeand Floyd,murder hornets, “A horrible year” other and Dechert LLP. and acquisitions, LLP Linklaters at transactions commercial and finance, international mergers and domestic on worked he Law, clinics. Harvard law joining Before transactional enterprise the community of project the directed he where School, Law Harvard at instructor CVD1, h mres f Breonna of murders the “COVID-19, clinical and lecturer a was Teuscher JD, University Center Law Georgetown BS, University of Southern California Southern BS, University of Director, Transactional Clinic CARLOS M. CARLOS M. TEUSCHER Assistant Clinical Professor LAW BRIEFS LAW BRIEFS

RECOGNITION FROM THE LEGAL 500 NATIONAL BLACK RECOGNIZES RECENT PRE-LAW GRADUATE CONFERENCE ecognition by The Legal drug discovery so well; it’s Suffolk Law was recognized at 500 typically takes years deeply ingrained in my the 15th-anniversary celebration R of building a career and system.” of the Annual National Black Pre- clientele. An organic chemist His work as a staff scientist Law Conference & Law Fair with that turned Suffolk Law student has at Choate, Hall & Stewart with organization’s “Outstanding Law School accomplished the feat while Andrea Reid JD’06, a former Diversity Outreach Award.” still in law school. chemist herself, helped inspire The school’s admissions outreach and focus Paul R. Fleming JD’20, who his own transition to law. The on diversity pipeline programs contributed to the honor. One serves as a patent agent with two continue to work together example of the pipeline in action is recent graduate Sam Faisal Dechert LLP, was recognized today at Dechert. JD’20. As a public high school student in Boston, Faisal wasn’t this year by The Legal 500 U.S. “It definitely took me some thinking of becoming an attorney until he began receiving lessons for his patent prosecution work. time to get comfortable making in constitutional law from two Suffolk Law students. His mentors “The partner I worked with the switch from research to were serving as Marshall Brennan fellows, teaching subjects like free said that it’s a big deal,” says being a patent agent. That’s a speech in the high school context, search and seizure law, and civil Fleming, who received his PhD big switch,” he says. “So, for me, rights in police encounters. from MIT and did his postdoc it was really gratifying to see that at the National Institutes of the clients appreciated the work Health before working as a I did and found that I was a scientist for AstraZeneca. “I valuable part of their team.” think my background in the Through Suffolk Law’s new pharmaceutical industry really Accelerated JD Program, helped me. I am able to help Fleming completed his JD a clients because I understand year and a half early.

IN THE MEDIA

NIGHTLINE AND ESQUIRE COVER SUFFOLK LAW HOUSING STUDY On July 1, the Boston Globe reported that undercover investigations by Suffolk Law’s Housing Discrimination SUFFOLK HELPS Testing Program (HDTP) “found that Black people posing as prospective tenants were shown fewer apartments than LAUNCH NATIONAL whites and offered fewer incentives to rent, and that real POLICING CONSORTIUM estate agents often cut off contact when the renters gave Black-sounding names like Lakisha, Tyrone, or Kareem.” Dean Andrew Perlman helped lead the creation of the ABA-Legal The HDTP study was also covered in Esquire, The Education Police Practices Consortium, which launched in October. Chronicle of Higher Education, on NPR, and cited on ABC The Consortium is creating opportunities for more than 50 law News Nightline. schools across the country to work with the ABA and local, state, and national stakeholders to improve police practices, from use of force policies to training and oversight.

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Photographs from left: Adobe, Michael J. Clarke eurd y h sae o e the get to state the by required through four separate plans worked superintendent school budget challenges. pandemic-related own its despite cities fund likely would state the how making about decision educated an and process planning a truncated $70 including million city budget- problems, thorny of manner all through working summer. this Massachusetts, Gardner, of city.small mayorelected was He is 2021, a running and old years 26 only of Class Nicholson, J. Michael for. care to parents feed, to babies responsibilities, work are thereFor some, about. A ihlo ad Gardner’s and Nicholson been he’s election, his Since MAYOR BY DAY, hr’ a o t think to lot school, a there’s law navigate students Law Suffolk s LAW STUDENT MICHAEL J. NICHOLSON: BY NIGHT aaig h procurement Nicholson city,” the for for process the responsible managing “I’m Polito. Anthony Professor and JD’96 Jr. Georges, Serge Judge including professors, Law Suffolk favorite his from lessons to back thinking little less steep,” he says. curvea learning the made those.It wereavoidhappening,could we so blips or mistakes whatfaring, were allowed us to see how other districts all front students.twoweeksup “That for learning remote Nicholson of weeks two model, with off start city the proposed schooling theschool committee. of chair as serves mayor Gardner the charter, By Boston. miles of west 57 lies 20,000, about of city a Gardner, fall. school this safely to back students city’s It’s no surprise that he’s been been he’s that surprise no It’s hybrid city’s the of part As Suffolk LawAlumni Magazine|Winter 2021 9 STUDENTS ELECTION RACES IN SUFFOLK LOCAL THREE 2020 WON LAW LAW ie o te-ao o Gardner, Mark Hawke. of then-mayor for aide top as and Massachusetts, Rutland, served astownadministrator of Middlesex District. and Worcester the for senator state elected was 2022, of Class Cronin, And John student, J. Law Suffolk another Braintree. a in as councilor years town four of for Class served Owens, 2021, J. Michael old 31-year-classmate, Another District. representative for the 12th Worcester state elected was who 2021, of Class Kilcoyne, K. example, Meghan 33-year-old Massachussetts—for in office for ran who students minded class included some equally politically excise andproperty tax numbers.” city’s a set to use we that process the to got me we how system, whole the see helped Polito “Professor says. Before becoming mayor, Nicholson Lawyer Government Nicholson’s LAW BRIEFS LAW BRIEFS

SUFFOLK LAW STUDENT WINS PATENT AWARD hile working as an investigator in oral biology at Boston University, Eva Helmerhorst, Class of 2021, discovered that W a naturally occurring oral bacteria, Rothia mucilaginosa, can break down gluten proteins. Her discovery and forthcoming inventions will create a natural therapy for individuals with celiac disease or other forms of gluten intolerance. Going through the patent process spurred Helmerhorst’s interest in law, she says: “I was in contact a lot with the Office of Technology Development during the time, and this is how I actually became interested in patent law.” Helmerhorst, who holds a doctorate in oral biochemistry, was recognized in 2019 as one of 13 honorees at the Boston Patent Law Association’s 9th Annual Invented Here! Awards, and was one of four honorees invited to share more about their work. “I remember one of the questions I was asked was: ‘How do you get to a discovery?’ My answer was ‘Just let your brain wander and see where it goes and make connections’ ... because, when I found the enzyme ... it was kind of an accidental discovery. It often goes like that,” says the Suffolk Law 4L evening student. Helmerhorst’s journey from science to IP law is not uncommon at Suffolk Law. In a typical year, more than a dozen entering students hold a PhD, many in STEM fields. They often pursue patent law, one of the reasons that 30% of Boston-area patent lawyers are Suffolk Law alumni.

The incoming Law School class boasts 14 of these students already have jobs in law THE PhDs, 46 students with graduate degrees, and firms working on patent matters, so they even a nuclear engineer. While impressive, need to go to law school at night. We pair an DOCTOR this is not unusual. In recent years, Suffolk outstanding IP program with a highly ranked Law has attracted an increasing number evening program. It’s a perfect match.” IS IN of students with advanced degrees, with 35 Many attend Suffolk Law for the IP 35 PhDs ENROLLED AT SUFFOLK LAW PhDs currently enrolled. Concentration, which is one of the largest “Many of these students have graduate and most developed of its kind in the degrees in STEM fields, and they know country, offering a patent law specialization that the Law School has a terrific local and a full range of IP courses—patents, and national reputation in IP law,” says copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, and Professor Rebecca Curtin, co-director of the licensing—to introduce students to the Intellectual Property Concentration. “Many diversity of the field.

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Photographs from left: Courtesy of Carly Gillis Photography , AHL File Photo M experiences,” he said. “Their firsthand knowledge and expertise is expertise invaluable.” and knowledge firsthand “Their said. he professional experiences,” and personal their from learn to ability the and faculty the diversity of the is Suffolk about things best the law.of one think “I employment and labor,sports, like courses in learned he lessons the applies regularly he that noting degree, Law Suffolk his without NHL world ...he willhelp make ourorganization better.” hockey the in experience and education Michael’s “Between Guerin. Bill Manager General Wild said times,” unprecedented these during operations for the AHL. championship hockey NCAA of president vice executive 1972 the previously was Murray and teams. 1971 University’s Boston of part was Murray, Bob father, Dartmouth his at professionally, and played seasons He two for old. and years 3 was he when stick hockey a Iowa Wild. (AHL) League’sHockey American the for operations hockey support also will He development.player and scouting,negotiations, contract Wild’sincluding the department, operationshockey of responsibilities Murray says he wouldn’t working have in the achieved his dream of “Younevercan have aroundyou, people especially manysmart too Murray’s DNA—he first Hockeywore skatesis part andof handled during the2018-19during season. Charlotte Checkers following their AHL Calder Cupchampionship MVP award (Jack A. Butterfield Trophy) to Andrew Poturalski ofthe vice president ofhockey operations, presents the AHL Playoff Michael Murray inhisprevious (right), positionasthe AHL executive NHL DREAM ALUMNUS JOINSTHEMINNESOTA WILD manager of the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Minnesota day-to-day the League’sin assist will Murray Hockey role, new his In National Wild. the of manager ichael Murray JD’08 has been named assistant to the general ACHIEVING HIS Suffolk LawAlumni Magazine|Winter 2021 11 here’s the deal.’” say, just to willing so were who alumni ‘Yeah,Suffolk to spoke I school, law to evengo to wanted I whether see to looking was I When students. first-gen for place good especially an such is it why and place first the in Suffolk to came I why is “That says. now andseeking out alumnifor interviews. episodes more on working is FirstGen” from “Firsthand alumni. law school. the nuancesstudents inunderstanding of law first-generation other support to podcast FirstGen” from its “Firsthand and Association Student Law Generation First the Melanie Stallone, Cassandra Munoz, and James Lockett, to create them what to expect [when attending law school].” tell to friend family a or uncle an have don’t who … Suffolk at wasn’t students around alone.me, “There especially are plenty of classes last fall. said imposter syndrome day set inonher first of STUDENTS ASSISTS FIRST-GEN NEW GROUP “Suffolk is well-known for its strong alumni network,” Bertino faculty,students, other from insights deliversand podcast The classmates 2L her with along Bertino, led experience This “I realized I had no idea what was going on,” she says. And she student, law first-generation a 2022, of Class Bertino, Lauren

f ea rciepoess ipybcueo inertia. practice processes, legal simplybecause of of lot a practice,like common a signaturesremainwet that argues overdue.He long is idea this whyexplains JD’05 Teninbaum Gabe Professor signatures.” “wet requiring from away moving are states many pandemic, a during BLOOMBERG LAW, APRIL10, 2020 MAY FADE AFTER CORONAVIRUS” “‘WET’ INKSIGNATURES REQUIREMENTS [email protected]. interested canemailtheorganization inparticipating at found onSpotify, tinyurl.com/suffolkfirstgen. Alumni Episodes 1and2of “Firsthand from FirstGen” canbe With the logistical challenges of meeting in person person in meeting of challenges logistical the With IN THEMEDIA

LAW BRIEFS PANDEMIC A TEAM GATHERS ACROSS FIVE CONTINENTS. PIVOT WATCH NBC 10 COVERAGE AT bit.ly/LITLabNBC

how people facing legal emergencies guardianship, is ongoing. could access the court from home. “In the U.S., even before the The answer: court forms that pandemic, a majority of people faced Clinical fellow Quinten Steenhuis could be filled out and submitted to their civil legal emergencies without interviewed by NBC the courts entirely via mobile phones. a lawyer,” said Suffolk Law Dean 10 about the court Simply placing existing court forms Andrew Perlman—a problem called forms project online wouldn’t get the job done. the justice gap. The forms would need to walk users Additionally, many courts have forms through complex legal questions, in the that must be printed out, filled in by CLOSING THE COVID-19 same way that TurboTax simplifies tax hand, and delivered to a courthouse or documents, and provide a way to be scanned and submitted to the court, said submitted without the usual printing Steenhuis. “But many people don’t have JUSTICE GAP and signing requirements. a printer or scanner at home, and they By the end of April, the LIT Lab had don’t have access to a library right now— By Michael Fisch recruited a group of 100 volunteers across or a retail store’s computer station,” he magine a woman living with an abusive partner, five continents: coders, user experience noted. These are some of the hurdles that isolated for months during the pandemic shutdown. experts, designers, lawyers, linguists the mobile tools overcome. I Eventually, she goes to the local courthouse to get offering translation services, and the LIT And because the framework for the help, but the doors are locked when she arrives— Lab’s own committed student team. mobile app, Docassemble, is open to because of the pandemic, Massachusetts courts are Working at rapid speed, the team anyone, technologists in other states will closed to the public except for emergencies. She waits launched MassAccess in June with have a leg up in creating similar forms outside for hours, until a clerk finally comes with a stack an initial array of forms. The project for their courts. of complex papers for her to complete on her own. is a remarkable feat, both for its swift “This project is extremely helpful,” “Unfortunately, this actually happened,” says turnaround and its $0 price tag for the said Jorge Colon, a court service center Quinten Steenhuis, a legal technologist and clinical courts. Without the volunteer army, manager with the Massachusetts Trial fellow in Suffolk’s Legal Innovation & Technology Colarusso estimates the project could Courts. “When people call to receive (LIT) Lab. “It’s a problem that was foreseen by Ralph have cost over $1 million. assistance at the Court Service Center, we Gants, the late chief justice of the Supreme Judicial The mobile forms address legal can refer them to the different tools that Court [SJC], at the start of the COVID-19 crisis. He issues from restraining orders to this project has created, and they are able put out a call for ideas to increase public access to the unlawful eviction and even “breach to do the same things that they could do courts, and the LIT Lab answered that call.” of quiet enjoyment”—say, when a at the courthouse through this project.” Within weeks, the SJC’s Access to Justice landlord won’t repair a sewage leak in Commission COVID-19 Task Force’s Access to your kitchen. The creation of court View the MassAccess project Courts Committee, co-chaired by LIT Lab director forms in other legal areas, such as forms at courtformsonline.org. David Colarusso, had started tackling the question of consumer debt, education, health, and

NY TIMES HIGHLIGHTS EVICTION RELIEF TOOL

Millions of Americans have been can be sent to their landlords, as CDC rules stipulate. In September, facing the very real possibility of The New York Times featured the tool in its primer on the topic, “The eviction—in the middle of winter, with a New Eviction Moratorium: What You Need to Know.” pandemic spiking. At press time, the CDC eviction reprieve covers qualified renters This fall, the Suffolk LIT Lab released a free online tool that has through December 31. helped thousands of tenants across the nation determine whether they qualify for eviction relief, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) eviction moratorium order. Check out the tool at courtformsonline.org. If a renter qualifies, the tool produces a customized letter that

12 13 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk LawAlumni Magazine|Winter 2021 12

Photographs from left: Michael Fisch , Michael J. Clarke, Adobe W EMERGENCY FUNDHELPSSTUDENTSIMPACTED BYCOVID-19 CLASSROOM THE VIRTUAL A QUICKTURNTOWARD as anUber driver.as gig are These just a regular his lost third A income. extra make to nanny a as or work find employment legal summer to find unable was Another work. full- time from off laid was toddler, a of needs first.” we have a staff and faculty working together to put students’ experts around the world. from commentary in building to students of polling instant tools—from digital incorporate to how and rhythm unique eyes to help professors. assistants, serving asanextra set of teaching new world’s virtual the are students, hired (FTFs), with facilitators tech faculty teaching. Faculty remote of assisting details finer the liaisons, education distance library as well asrich incontent. interactive,and intimate more classes remote their make to resourcesthe faculty theyget need to he’spriority a it made on aZoomcallorsixfeet away inaSargent Hallclassroom. would education legal Suffolk a remain the same whether faculty and students were miles apart of fundamentals the that Teninbaum knew education, distance and initiatives, strategic Gabe Teninbaum JD’05. One law student, the mother mother the student, law One far,”“So Teninbaum,says terrifically, “it’sgone because medium’s new the of sense Faculty,a gaining are turn, in Law librarians now serve as “tech guides” or, more formally, different, very feel can experiences two the because But innovation, of dean assistant appointed recently the As ie OI-9 a cetd widespread Professor says School, Law Suffolk created at innovation— including rapid driving also has is it hardship, COVID-19 hile to help support law students facing facing students law support help to members—aims staff and alumni, faculty, of generosity the through Law CARES Emergency Fund. applied for through grants the Suffolk have students whyreasons the of few

The Fund—made possible The Suffolk LawAlumni Magazine|Winter 2021 found creative ways to help their clients. have students programs, clinical 11 Law’s Suffolk of interactions to-face CLINICS FORGEAHEADIN FACE OFPANDEMIC 13

While the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the traditional face- traditional the upended has pandemic COVID-19 the While f Pnaa a imgat oe’ wre coeaie that cooperative worker women’s immigrant produces protective face masksandother personal equipment. an Puntada, of structure financial and governance the out set that documents legal on working are TransactionalClinic created newly the in Students a television including attention, segment onNBCBoston. media drew effort team’s The forms. court complex through litigants se pro walk that interviews InnovationLegal The & Technology Lab created cell phone-guided settlements for the family with several negotiated the offendingof Office housingGeneral’s providers. Attorney Massachusetts the and Practice Accelerator The children. disabled two her and herself for apartment who faced discrimination for over a year as she sought in vain to rent an AcceleratorThe Practice represented amother with ahousingvoucher criminal cases proceed without undue delay aslitigation resumes. help to analyses and flowcharts, motions, created templated have COVID-specific students Offices, Attorney’s District Massachusetts five the Prosecutors Clinic has jumped in to assist. Working closures, in court 17 courts with faced Offices Attorney’s District Massachusetts the As and Suffolk Law Professor Lorie Graham. Rapporteurs Special UN include will witnesses October.Expert in Court the to brief lengthymerits a submitted and drafted attorneys to the Human Inter-American Rights. Court The of Clinic’s student had persistent Rights government indigenous raids community of radio stations, Human on referred Commission their case against the Guatemala, government addressing of Inter-American the that Peopleslearned Indigenous Clinic and Rights Human the April, In SUCARES visit to students in need. had been awarded $33,200 ingrants 24, September of As pandemic. the on by brought challenges financial To support Suffolk Law Cares Law Suffolk support To app.mobilecause.com/vf/

PANDEMIC PIVOT

IMPACTFUL ALUMNI

SERGE GEORGES, JR. NOMINATED TO SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT NOMINEE HAS A REPUTATION FOR LEGAL BRILLIANCE—AND FOR TREATING EVERYONE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT

By Beth Brosnan

15 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 IMPACTFUL ALUMNI

ver the course of his 25-year legal that relationship will last.” perspective” for the Supreme Judicial career, Judge Serge Georges, Jr. “None of us get to where we are alone,” Court, whose members are rarely drawn O JD’96 has earned a reputation as a Georges said a few days later. “I try to give from the district and municipal courts. “His remarkably gifted communicator. people the opportunity to be successful.” professional experiences, particularly those Whether he’s talking with professional involving the civil and criminal legal issues colleagues, defendants in his Dorchester Proud, Joyful Tears that individuals regularly encounter, will be courtroom, or his students at Suffolk Law, If confirmed in early December, he especially valuable to the court,” he said. Judge Georges is the kind of person who will join two other Suffolk Law graduates can connect with his listeners and cut to the on the seven-member court: Justices Frank heart of the matter, says Suffolk Law Dean Gaziano JD’89 and Elspeth Cypher JD’86. Andrew Perlman. Even more significantly, he will become only “WHAT SERGE HAS Yet for a few brief moments this fall, the fourth Black person ever to serve on the Georges, 50, found himself speechless. 328-year-old SJC. DONE FOR THE PAST On November 17, Governor Charlie Georges’ longtime friend, Suffolk Trustee Baker announced Georges’ nomination to Ernst Guerrier BS’91, JD’94, a Haitian- the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. American who grew up in Mattapan, wept SEVEN YEARS IS LIKE At a State House press conference, the when he heard the news. governor praised Georges not only for his “Serge’s appointment was a great day for PRACTICING LAW legal brilliance, but also for the humanity Suffolk, and for our diverse community,” he he has brought to his work as both a Boston says. “It signifies everything that we preach. IN THE ER. HE HAS Municipal Court judge and a teacher at You can grow up in Dorchester or Mattapan Suffolk Law. or Roxbury or Jamaica Plain, and if you are PRESIDED OVER THE “Many lawyers say he’s their favorite given the opportunity and work hard, you judge,” Baker said. “Not because he gives can reach the highest level.” BUSIEST COURT IN them the answer they want, but because Cherina D. Wright JD/MBA’17—the he knows the law, does his homework, law school’s assistant dean for diversity, THE COMMONWEALTH, and treats everyone in his courtroom with equity, and inclusion, who first met Georges dignity and respect.” when she was president of Suffolk’s Black AND HE’S DONE SO Stepping to the microphone, Georges Law Students Association—was also moved paused to collect himself. After thanking to “proud, joyful tears.” WITH INTELLIGENCE, the governor, he said, “I can’t adequately While plenty of systemic racial barriers express what this means to me—I just remain, she says, “I hope this helps Suffolk COMPASSION, AND don’t have the words.” As a young Haitian- Law students, especially our students of American boy growing up in Dorchester, he color, realize the sky is the limit. Serge is COMMITMENT.” added, “I would never have dreamed this proof of that.” was possible.” University President Marisa Kelly calls –Ernst Guerrier BS’91, JD’94 Yet Georges has spent his life believing Georges “a role model for our students, in the possible—including in the classroom, someone who embodies our very highest where he has mentored law students, and ideals. And in a period when our country in the courtroom, where he has earned a is wrestling with criminal justice reform, he Guerrier puts it this way: “What Serge reputation for making litigants feel listened brings a deep understanding of how different has done for the past seven years is like to, fairly treated, and able to move forward communities navigate our legal system.” practicing law in the ER. He has presided with their lives. As the governor put it, “It Dean Perlman points out that Georges’ over the busiest court in the Commonwealth, seems clear that no matter when Judge tenure on the Boston Municipal Court and he’s done so with intelligence,

Photograph by Michael J. Clarke Georges becomes your friend and colleague, will provide “an often under-represented compassion, and commitment.”

Continued on page 16

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The early years in Dorchester who have just made mistakes and need he says. Stuart was eventually revealed to be Georges was first appointed to the Boston some guidance to get back on their feet, stop the murderer and committed suicide, yet there Municipal Court in 2013 by Governor committing crimes, and become productive was no immediate reckoning, no admission of Deval Patrick, following more than 15 years members of society.” how an entire community had been presumed as a trial attorney concentrating in civil From 2014 to 2018, he presided over the guilty and deprived of its legal rights. litigation, criminal defense, and professional Dorchester Drug Court, working with a team After graduating from BC in 1992, licensure and liability. of clinicians, attorneys, police, and parole Georges enrolled at Suffolk Law. There was, “I can’t tell you how much it has meant officers to provide substance-use offenders he says, a warmth to everyone he met, and to me to be a judge in the neighborhood with consistent structure, expectations, and the sense that faculty and staff alike cared where I grew up,” he says. support. He calls the experience the most deeply about students and wanted them From age 4 until his early 20s, Dorchester rewarding of his professional life. to succeed. “People would take the time was home. He lived with his parents and “I’ve seen the kind of miracles that come to check in with you, when things were two older sisters in a rented two-bedroom with sobriety,” he says, “when people who going well and when they weren’t,” he says. apartment on Hancock Street in Kane have lost everything are able to reconnect “Suffolk was a place you could always come Square, surrounded by Irish-American, with family, find employment and housing.” home to.” Cape Verdean, and Puerto Rican families. After Georges’ SJC nomination was Suffolk also lit a fire under him. “My He and his friends loved to ride their BMX announced, his email inbox and phone professors were the best in the business bikes through the neighborhood, flying past were flooded with congratulatory messages, and they started my love of the law,” he the courthouse where Georges would one including some from former Drug Court says. Friday nights would find him in the day preside. clients. “It’s ironic they are calling to thank basement of the Archer building, debating Education was everything to Georges’ me,” he says. “I feel I should be thanking the latest slip opinions with his classmate parents, who had left Haiti to avoid political them. This work has given me so much.” and close friend, Hank Brennan JD’96, persecution. His father, Serge Sr., who taught now a noted criminal defense attorney. “I’m in the Boston public schools by day, held Lighting an intellectual fire a nerd,” he cheerfully admits. “I love the down a second job at Honeywell by night, Prior to accepting his nomination intellectual stimulation of reading the law while his mother, Maryse, worked as a data to the SJC, Georges accepted another and thinking about how to apply it.” entry clerk for the Boston Stock Exchange honor: Suffolk’s invitation to serve as Today, Georges lights those same fires and at the Safety Insurance Company, all so Commencement speaker for Suffolk Law’s under his own students in his courses on they could afford to send their children to Class of 2021, where he will receive an Trial Advocacy, Evidence, and Professional Catholic schools. honorary degree. Responsibility. “He is an exceptional Georges graduated from both Boston An adjunct faculty member since 1999, teacher,” says Dean Perlman. Assistant College High School and Boston College, Georges has now taught a full generation of Dean Wright adds he’s the kind of professor where he majored in English. (He can still Suffolk Law students. At the start of every “who empowers his students, and gives them recite poetry he studied there from memory.) school year, when he leads incoming 1L a real sense of ownership of the material.” Having put their three children through students in their oath of professionalism, If confirmed, Georges will bring all this college, Serge Sr. and Maryse Georges he shares how the notorious 1989 Charles with him to the Supreme Judicial Court— bought their first home, in Randolph, where Stuart case galvanized him to study law. not only “his clear command of the law they live today. The judge lives nearby, with When Stuart shot and killed his pregnant and his sharp analytical mind,” says Dean his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters. wife, Suffolk Law alumna Carol DiMaiti Perlman, “but also his desire to make a Yet Dorchester remains home, the place Stuart JD’85, and blamed her death on an positive impact on the lives of others.” that taught him “there are a lot of really unidentified Black assailant, city officials The prospect of joining the nation’s good people who get bad breaks,” he says. spent two months indiscriminately rounding oldest supreme court, operating under It’s a perspective he brings with him to up Black men and interrogating them. its oldest constitution, renders this most the courtroom, where he is known for giving Boston newspapers called for the restoration eloquent of men speechless once more. “I people a chance while also holding them of the death penalty. want to be part of a team that is working accountable. “When you are practicing at Georges still has a copy of that newspaper. to get it right,” Georges says after a pause. the district and municipal court level,” he “It’s old and yellow and I’m going to be buried “For a kid from Kane Square, this means says, “you see there are plenty of people with it, because it informed the rest of my life,” everything.”

16 17 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 IMPACTFUL ALUMNI

“ONE OF MY PASSIONS IS TRYING TO BRIDGE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DIVIDE THAT EXISTS BETWEEN, SAY, SILICON VALLEY AND WASHINGTON.” –Brett Freedman JD’07

powerful intelligence apparatus. program, a computer scientist Security threats have evolved at the NSA could, for example, since the Lockerbie bombing, of spend a year or two working at course, with cybersecurity and Google—honing their skills and election interference among the gaining a better understanding BRETT committee’s current concerns. of its culture—while maintaining “There’s certainly a public their government tenure and knowledge of the efforts by the benefits. Meanwhile, an engineer FREEDMAN Russian Federation and other from the tech industry could take ADVISES SENATE countries to interfere [with the time to learn how the government election] in one way, shape, or operates—and how to get things INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE form,” Freedman said in October, done within its bureaucracy— citing as examples the spread of without leaving their job. false narratives and innocuous- Freedman hopes that this By Jon Gorey sounding disinformation that cross-pollination of talent could proliferate on social media. help the two camps, which are n a late December day in 1988, Brett Freedman JD’07 Freedman isn’t on the front often at odds, get past what they and his family were readying for an overnight flight to lines of election cybersecurity read about each other in the news. O Israel, where they were planning to celebrate 13-year- and doesn’t consider himself an These exchange workers can old Brett’s bar mitzvah. As they packed their bags, anticipation especially technical person. “But in “meet the people, see what the turned to anxiety when they heard that a passenger jet, Pan-Am order to be able to put forth policy, mission is, and get a sense of the Flight 103, had exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland—killing all you need to understand the innards challenges facing them,” he said. 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground in one of the most of what’s happening,” he said, so Freedman also hopes the deadly airline bombings in history. he’s had to familiarize himself with program could open up the “We were watching it on television when the van came to pick technologies like the 5G wireless intelligence community to a us up to go to the airport,” Freedman recalled. As a suburban standard, artificial intelligence, more diverse talent pool. If the Boston middle-schooler, Freedman says he didn’t grasp the full and quantum computing—with intelligence community as an dynamics of what was happening at the time, beyond the burning some help from the Congressional analytical body does not reflect the wreckage on the TV. But he could sense and understand his Research Service. He also relies on composition of the country and the parents’ fear, concern—and resolve. “My mom was upset, and relationships he’s built with trusted globe, decision makers are going to my dad said, ‘There’s nothing more important than to actually academics, think tanks, and private miss critical nuances, he warned. do this now.’” industry leaders. Imperfect as U.S. national Freedman didn’t decide in that moment to pursue a career Recognizing the importance security is, Freedman cherishes in national security, but the experience was influential. of these relationships, Freedman his role in keeping people safe, After earning his juris doctor at Suffolk in 2007, Freedman pushed for the most recent IAA and feels fortunate to be part went on to provide legal counsel at both the National Security to include a public-private talent of something much bigger than Agency and the National Counter-Terrorism Center in exchange, which would allow either himself or politics. Washington, DC. Now, he serves as minority counsel for the intelligence officials to spend a year “I’ve been proud to be a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), which oversees or more immersed at a company in part of one of, if not the only, the entire U.S. intelligence community. the private sector and vice versa. remaining truly bipartisan Working for Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the “One of my passions is trying congressional committees, where committee’s Democratic vice chairman, one of Freedman’s top to bridge the public and private we put our noses down, look at priorities in most years is to help get the bipartisan Intelligence divide that exists between, say, the issues, and continue to work Authorization Act (IAA) through Congress—the critical Silicon Valley and Washington,” he together to try to find solutions,”

Photograph: Courtesy of Aviva Krauthammer Photograph: Courtesy of Aviva legislation that authorizes funding and oversight for the nation’s said. Through the pilot exchange he said.

16 17 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 IMPACTFUL ALUMNI

REGINA HOLLOWAY’S CAREER IN POLICE OVERSIGHT TAKES A NEW TURN

By Alyssa Giacobbe

egina D. Holloway JD’15 began of 13- and 14-year-old girls, she says. law school the year someone “Even when a problem couldn’t be R close to her went to prison. fixed immediately, which was often the She was raising four children, working case, people still felt like they had a better a hodgepodge of jobs to make ends quality of life,” says Holloway. “Everyone meet, and living in public housing in felt more like they were a part of the Cambridge. Naturally, her life informed process of police and community.” her approach to law. She then received an unexpected offer. “Everything I did in law school Friedman, who serves on the board of had some relationship to my personal public safety technologies company Axon experience,” she says. (perhaps best known as the makers of At Suffolk, she found support from the Taser), approached her this summer faculty and staff, often turning to Professors about AA joining (REGINA the company. HOLLOWAY) Kathleen Engel and Karen M. Blum “I thought it was crazy. I was just like, JD’74. Blum ignited her interest in criminal what in my life makes you think that I among hours of footage in as little as 30 justice reform, specifically civilian oversight. would work for Axon?,” recalls Holloway, minutes, helping them to quickly see what After working as a clinical fellow in Suffolk’s a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity. happened in a specific interaction. Housing Discrimination Testing Program But following the murder of George Holloway now helps develop and as a bar advocate in the Boston District Floyd and other Black civilians by police, initiatives that connect Axon with the Courts, Holloway relocated to Chicago. Axon had expanded its company mission to communities it hopes to serve, educating At the Civilian Office of Police include a focus on racial equity, diversity, and civilians on Axon products while learning Accountability there, she worked as inclusion. Its “Sprint for Justice” initiative about their specific safety concerns. She’ll an investigator overseeing “critical resulted in eight new products to support also work with police departments seeking incidents,” including officer-involved transparency and officer development. training in nonlethal weapons and other shootings and deaths in custody. The job Holloway ultimately decided to take de-escalation tools and practices. was fascinating, yet frustrating. the job as vice president of community Next year, she will assemble a “There was not a lot of stability, impact. “I think they have started to community coalition that includes and these departments ... really need realize—and I’m hoping to help them members from the mental health, political will. I just didn’t see it there,” make good on this realization—that the philanthropy, and educational fields to says Holloway. “It wasn’t the substantial community is our customer,” she says. examine Axon’s products with a racial change I was looking for.” “And that these products need to be equity toolkit. The goal is that community Next, she worked with a Chicago solving for them, and for their lives.” groups will help the company develop neighborhood policing pilot program She points to one new feature, Axon’s products that are less likely to result in founded by New York University law priority-ranked video audit, as an example. injury or escalation to use of force, and professor Barry Friedman. The initiative “Civilian Oversight might get 30 Axon product teams will begin to view their was designed to help inform policing hours of body-worn camera footage. products through a more equitable lens. priorities with a deeper understanding Trying to piece through that stops the “My hope is that it will be training of a community’s concerns. While investigation process, stops people from on both sides,” Holloway says. Axon police might focus on loitering teens, finding out whether their complaint went employees are going to need to do their for example, the community was more through,” she says. Using the new tool, part, she points out. “I can’t be the constant concerned about hidden sex trafficking investigators can instead seek out keywords reminder of the need for equity.”

18 19 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 GIVING BACK THREE ALUMNI MAKE $1M PLEDGES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS SHARE THE IMPACT OF IN SINGLE YEAR THE GRACIELA ROJAS-TRABAL TERM SCHOLARSHIP ALUMNI INVEST IN grasp. I knew I wanted to be a part SUFFOLK LAW’S FUTURE WILLIAM G. of the change. … I wanted to be a HARDIMAN, voice for my community to bridge ithin a single year, three different alumni CLASS OF 2022 the gap between the communities have committed million-dollar gifts to help Brockton, Massachusetts and the justice system. W advance Suffolk Law’s mission of delivering I have wanted to be a lawyer I plan to focus my legal education an outstanding, affordable legal education. Two of the since I was a freshman in high on civil rights and human rights law. commitments were made after the pandemic began. school, when I was a member of The support of this scholarship will “We are deeply grateful for these remarkable my high school’s mock trial team. allow me to build a legal career commitments,” said Suffolk University Law School Dean During my time as an undergrad, where I can become the voice of Andrew Perlman. “They are a testament to the impact of a I interned at the Plymouth County those individuals who need to be Suffolk Law education and the desire of our alumni to give District Attorney’s Office, which heard in our society. back and help the next generation of graduates achieve was an amazing chance to see the similar success.” criminal process in action. Most recently, an anonymous donor, who was a first- Suffolk’s JD/LLM in Taxation HECTOR PAGAN, generation college and law school graduate, wanted to Program really stuck out to me. Being CLASS OF 2024 contribute life-changing support to first-generation Suffolk able to get my JD and LLM in three Caguas, Puerto Rico Law students in an effort to bridge financial gaps that unfairly years was a no-brainer. After law I moved to burden deserving students. This particular scholarship is school, I plan on practicing tax law. Boston to continue pursuing my focused on eliminating barriers and widening the pipeline for The scholarship has been education. I had a big dream, law first-generation students to enter the legal profession, helping immensely helpful in offsetting the school being my end goal. However, them thrive as successful and confident lawyers. burden of paying tuition. Barry I had one obstacle to overcome: Another alum, Warren G. Levenbaum JD’72, has long Cosgrove and I both attended mastering the English language. supported the Law School as a member of the Dean’s Cardinal Spellman High School in I was not ready for law school Cabinet. Levenbaum, founding partner of the West my hometown. back then, so I decided to pursue Coast personal injury law firm Levenbaum Trachtenberg, graduate studies in psychology and recently said, “The true test of lifetime achievement is the behavior analysis and improve my ability to give back, and I am forever grateful to Suffolk Law TAILAYAH LECHE writing and communication skills School, which has given me this opportunity.” MACKLIN, so I could be prepared to pursue Last fall, the Law School announced the first of the three CLASS OF 2024 studies in the law. After completing gifts, when Dean’s Cabinet member Barry C. Cosgrove Brockton, Massachusetts my two master’s degrees, I felt ready JD’85 honored the spirit of his wife’s grandmother, Graciela My family has always instilled in to pursue my biggest dream and Rojas-Trabal. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, me the value of an education and the decided to apply to law school. and her hard work and ethics were an inspiration to her power that comes with knowledge. When I visited Suffolk Law, family. Today, the Graciela Rojas-Trabal Term Scholarship I grew up in a community that did I felt that I was home. I felt that I Fund supports law students from Cosgrove’s hometown of not believe in the criminal justice belonged there. Brockton, Massachusetts, as well as law students who have system because they felt as though it The scholarship has allowed me a significant interest in and knowledge of the Dominican failed them. For me, this was hard to to focus more on my studies. Republic’s history and culture.

SUMMA DONORS In fiscal year 2020, Suffolk Law saw the largest number of Summa Society donors in 12 years. The Summa Society is composed of those who contribute $1,000 or more annually. Photographs: Courtesy of Regina Holloway, William G. Hardiman, Tailayah Leche Macklin, Hector Pagan Tailayah William G. Hardiman, Photographs: Courtesy of Regina Holloway,

18 19 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 GIVING BACK

ALL RISE: CELEBRATING SUFFOLK LAW’S FEMALE LEADERS POSTHUMOUS HONORS FOR PROFESSOR VICTORIA DODD he third annual celebration of Suffolk and personal empowerment, as well as Law’s female leaders—known as “All on the collective responsibility of every T Rise”—took place on November 18. legal professional to join the effort of Few are courageous. And even fewer are The event raised over $95,000 to benefit the transforming legal institutions into places of courageous often, regularly saying what needs Catherine T. Judge Scholarship Fund and equity and inclusion for all. to be said, even when it’s risky to do so. When the Suffolk Law Student Emergency Fund. The event also celebrated two colleagues remember the life of Professor One part of the program featured a remarkable women. This year, the Victoria J. Dodd, they invariably recall panel presentation, “Rise Up, Speak Up Catherine T. Judge Teaching and Service moments when Dodd showed such courage. and Lift Every Voice,” which highlighted Award was posthumously presented to “As one of very few tenured women, she individual and collective actions to advance Professor Emerita Victoria Dodd, who always put herself out there on important issues racial and gender equity and justice. died earlier this year. The Marian Archer so that we younger women never felt alone,” Moderated by Suffolk Law Professor Lolita “Trailblazer” Award was presented to Judge wrote Professor Rosanna Cavallaro on hearing Darden JD’91, the panel included Tamela Marianne B. Bowler JD’76, HLLD’94. of Professor Dodd’s passing. “That plus her Bailey JD’04, member of the Law School Judge Bowler has served as a magistrate humor and fierce intelligence made her a larger- Alumni Board of Directors and commercial judge, U.S. District Court, District of than-life figure whom I will miss.” legal senior counsel, National Grid; Hon. Massachusetts, since 1990 and as chief Dodd taught law for nearly 40 years at Stacey J. Fortes JD’90, First Justice of magistrate judge (2002 to 2005). She was Suffolk, teaching criminal law, constitutional Lowell District Court; and Nina the first female president of the Suffolk law, civil procedure, and federal courts and Mitchell Wells JD’76, former Law School Alumni Association Board advancing the interests and status of women New Jersey Secretary of State of Directors. In addition to her lengthy in the profession. As one of the pioneer and former director of the judicial service, Bowler recently concluded female law professors, she faced gender bias Metropolitan Washington two terms as a member of the International head on, often with humor. She was honored Airports Authority (MWAA). Judicial Relations Committee of the Judicial posthumously with the Catherine T. Judge Given the event’s theme, Conference of the United States, traveling Teaching and Service Award at the All Rise “Rise Up, Speak Up and Lift to Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Nepal, alumni event on November 18. Every Voice,” the alumnae and the United Arab Emirates to teach Among her other accomplishments, panelists shared their thoughts judges mediation techniques and to lecture Dodd served as a three-time chair of the on the importance and on intellectual property issues, money Education Law Section of the Association power of sisterhood, laundering, and high-profile criminal cases of American Law Schools. And her book, “All Rise” building community, including terrorism. Practical Education Law for the Twenty-First moderator Century, has been widely used in the field, Suffolk Law The next All Rise event will be held March 8, 2021. both inside and outside the classroom. Professor Lolita Darden JD’91

CATIC FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ACCELERATOR-TO-PRACTICE PROGRAM This past spring, the CATIC Foundation committed a generous development and skills curriculum. Students learn about law office $55,000 to support Suffolk Law’s Accelerator-to-Practice Program. management, receive training in efficiency-enhancing law practice The program prepares graduates to join or establish small law technology, and intern at financially successful small firms and learn how practices that serve average-income clients. they operate. They also participate in a full-year capstone experience in “We appreciate the CATIC Foundation’s support, which the Accelerator Practice, which combines training in fee-shifting cases enables Suffolk Law to fulfill its historic and nationally recognized with an opportunity to manage the law firm commitment to preparing practice-ready lawyers,” said Suffolk embedded within the Law School. CATIC’s University Law School Dean Andrew Perlman. funding will support the ongoing work of the The award-winning program consists of an innovative professional Accelerator-to-Practice Program.

20 21 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 GIVING BACK

ALUMNI CONTRIBUTIONS WITH PERSONAL MEANING Ernst Guerrier with his family—son Myles, wife Marie, and daughter Christa—at the 2019 Suffolk Law Clinical By Kara Baskin Programs Reception. uffolk Law is fortunate to boast pandemic, his work is more important legions of alumni devoted to than ever. (See p. 12 for more details.) ERNST GUERRIER S giving back. That giving is Or consider University Trustee PAYS IT FORWARD especially resonant when generosity and Dean’s Cabinet member Mark By Kara Baskin dovetails with professional passions. E. Sullivan JD’79, retired chief legal Consider Dean’s Cabinet member officer at Bose Corporation—a Suffolk Trustee and Dean’s Cabinet member Ernst Deborah Marson JD’78, executive company whose audio innovations, Guerrier BS’91, JD’94 immigrated to Boston from vice president, general counsel, and from noise-canceling headphones Haiti at age 7, the son of a cab driver and a hospital secretary of Iron Mountain, a Boston- to high-tech speakers, are often worker. He learned the value of paying it forward at based global leader for storage and mimicked. To protect the company’s a pivotal time in his life. The self-described inner-city information management services. inventions, Sullivan’s practice focused kid, who grew up in Mattapan, received a helping Her $100,000 of funding supports a on intellectual property, and he hand to attend Suffolk as an undergrad and later as clinical fellow for Suffolk Law’s Legal is devoted to supporting the next a law student. Innovation and Technology (LIT) Lab. generation of Suffolk graduates The opportunity came by way of Richard J. “I’m very involved in the new interested in the nexis of IP and Trifiro JD’57, HLLD’87, the late Boston lawyer and products that we offer, which business. philanthropist who was committed to city youth. are dependent on technological He recently committed $250,000, The Trifiro family has given nearly $1.6 million to advancements. Supporting the LIT much of which is intended to advance Suffolk and has made a profound impact on the lives Lab just seemed like a great synergy to the Law School’s work in IP law. “Each and careers of countless Suffolk students who needed me between what I know and what I decade brings its own wrinkle in terms financial assistance. work with—cutting-edge, novel, and of the knowledge and experience you “I asked him: ‘How do I pay you back? Do I have linked to the law,” she says. need to succeed as a lawyer,” he says. to work for you for 10 years?’ And [Trifino] said, ‘You Iron Mountain and the LIT Lab “For many new graduates, they’ll pay it forward,’” recalls Guerrier. both operate at the intersection of need to operate comfortably in the Today, he runs his own law firm, Guerrier & technology and data science. Marson, innovation economy, and I wanted to Associates. “My clients don’t have the opportunity to who was the longtime deputy general help out in that subject area as it was hire a major Boston law firm; they just don’t have that counsel for The Gillette Company critical to my career.” access,” he says. before Iron Mountain, is delighted to “These two remarkable Suffolk Guerrier conceptualized and has championed the help support these civic efforts through Law graduates have achieved so Suffolk University Black Alumni Network (SUBAN). a legal lens. much in their careers,” said Dean Recently, he and his wife, Marie, pledged $100,000, “Suffolk gave me the gift of being a Andrew Perlman. “It is gratifying to half of which will establish the SUBAN Scholarship lawyer, and I’ve reached a few milestones see them give back, and it is especially Fund—designed for students with an interest in African- in my career that I never expected when meaningful to see them support the American studies and social justice. His efforts also led I was a graduate back in 1978,” she says. kind of work that has been critical to to the creation of the Suffolk University Celebration “I believe in giving back and trying to their own success.” of Black Excellence event, which, this year, showcased make the road for students today a little Alumni appreciate the chance social equity champions. bit easier where I can.” to share their professional passions Guerrier believes in developing a tradition of Her generosity currently supports through funding, but equally significant hands-on involvement among alumni, and is leading by clinical fellow and adjunct professor is an overarching appreciation for example. “Giving back means everything to me. Without Quinten Steenhuis, who previously Suffolk as an institution. Suffolk, I would not be here today,” Guerrier says. “My practiced housing and eviction defense “Suffolk Law is a place of teachers became my friends. My administrators became law for Greater Boston Legal Services. intellectual curiosity, learning,” says my mentors. I’m hoping to preserve that opportunity for At the LIT Lab, his projects focus on Marson. “It’s a place that makes a students who will follow me.” the intersection of access to justice difference in the lives and careers of its To join Ernst Guerrier in contributing to the and technology, with an emphasis on graduates. What more could anybody SUBAN Scholarship Fund, text “suban” to 71-777 or

Photographs from left: Michael J. Clarke (2), John Gillooly Photographs from housing and evictions. During the ask for?” visit: app.mobilecause.com/vf/SUBAN.

20 21 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 LAW COMMUNITY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AT SUFFOLK LAW

By Michael Fisch

gainst the backdrop of one of pursue justice, to right wrongs when we see for Dean Perlman. This past spring, he the largest national civil rights them, and to make an impact, not only in the launched a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion A movements in generations, a broader community but in our own as well. (DEI) Steering Committee chaired by three seemingly endless list of Black victims of “Too often the burden of seeking academic deans and comprising the faculty police brutality, the exposure of pandemic- change falls on those who have been most chairs of key standing committees. related health disparities, and a resurgence disadvantaged by the status quo. This must These academic leaders will work with of the white supremacist movement, Suffolk change. We all have an obligation, especially the existing DEI Faculty Committee and Law is reckoning with systemic racism. as future legal professionals, to address other standing faculty committees to develop In a letter to Suffolk Law students on injustices where we see them. This is our proposals for improvement in the areas of June 19, Dean Andrew Perlman wrote the shared obligation. I look forward to working curricular change, cultural competency of following: with all of you in the weeks and months faculty and students, admissions, recruitment “Today is Juneteenth, a day when we ahead to bring about real, meaningful and retention efforts, scholarships, hiring, commemorate the end of slavery in the change, both in our broader communities and more. While many of the outcomes United States. We can use this moment and within our own.” will take more than one academic year to reflect on how far we still have to go to to implement, the steering committee remedy slavery’s horrific and enduring A new steering committee has already begun its work, and concrete legacy and to address the profound and deep Giving top leaders at the school a key proposals will be put forward to the faculty problem of racial injustice in our country. As role in recommending practical steps for the for approval and implementation as early as

a law school, we have a special obligation to institution in these areas has been a priority spring 2021. Photographs by Michael J. Clarke Continued on page 24

22 23 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) AT SUFFOLK LAW

ASSISTANT DEAN DIVERSITY FROM THE TOP OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, RAISING AWARENESS More than 1/3 of Suffolk Law’s 11 deans AND INCLUSION Expanding our existing antiracism, implicit are people of color and more than 60% Appointing a newly created Assistant bias, and LGBTQ+ inclusion orientation are women. Suffolk Law elected its Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to trainings for new law students and the second Black female Student Bar spearhead DEI initiatives throughout entire Suffolk community. Association president in 2020. the Law School.

SUPPORT FOR FIRST- CLASSES FROM DIVERSE 11 CLINICS TO GENERATION STUDENTS PERSPECTIVES MAKE AN IMPACT Supporting first-generation students Expanding our curriculum with new Expanding access to justice through and students from underrepresented courses that examine diversity and our 11 nationally ranked in-house clinics backgrounds through our First- inclusion in the legal profession and the and a new Transactional Clinic to Generation Law Students law’s relation to systemic injustice and support nonprofits and businesses that organization and networking inequality; enhancing our existing areas of are committed to creating economic opportunities with first-generation focus in Diversity and Social Justice equity. alumni. and Civil Rights & Human Rights Law.

ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT The Suffolk University Black Alumni INSPIRING THE NEXT Network (SUBAN) serves current and DIVERSITY IN HIRING GENERATION future Black alumni through mentoring, Making the Law School faculty and Inspiring diverse and underrepresented philanthropy, volunteerism, and staff more diverse by changing our high schoolers in law student-coached events. The SUBAN Scholarship hiring practices—minimizing the trial competitions in the Marshall- Fund supports Suffolk students with a potential influence of implicit biases and Brennan Constitutional Law demonstrated interest in serving maximizing our efforts to attract and Program. under-represented communities. recruit diverse candidates.

PEER MENTORS AFFINITY STUDENT GROUPS Growing our Diversity Peer Mentoring Celebrating a more inclusive Program by including more students HBCU & FIRST-GEN community with over a dozen affinity and new initiatives. Also offering SCHOLARSHIPS groups that support students from diverse more safe social spaces, professional Providing scholarships for students and underrepresented backgrounds development workshops, and academic from historically Black colleges & through multiple programs: Diversity enrichment through the Student Bar universities (HBCUs), as well as for first- Week, diversity receptions, anti-racism Association’s Diversity & Inclusion generation students from Boston-area panels, and an alumni speaker series. colleges. 22 Committee.23 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 LAW COMMUNITY

Assistant Dean of A time for action Diversity, Equity, This summer’s protests compelled both the DEI Faculty and Inclusion Committee and the Student Bar Association to create documents Cherina D. Wright laying out recommendations for change. The Steering Committee JD/MBA’17 has been will use these two key documents to help drive its work in coming named the first assistant months. dean of DEI, building “I want to make public, as I have several times,” Dean Perlman says, on her previous work “that studying proposals won’t be enough. The times demand action, as director of student and that is my expectation. I’m committed to finding ways to implement engagement and as many of the community recommendations as possible. Our school inclusion. In this new can do better, and we will be a force for change.” role, Wright will provide strategic direction for the A leading role in Law School’s DEI efforts the Student Bar and will work closely Association with various institutional Elected this year as stakeholders, including president of Suffolk Law’s students, faculty, staff, Student Bar Association and alumni. Starting this past summer, Wright has been leading (SBA), Dayana Donisca all of the deans in monthly town hall meetings with students and (at left), Class of 2021, faculty to address issues that are on the minds of student leaders is the second Black of color, with upcoming topics including Suffolk’s admissions and woman to serve in the scholarship processes. role. She has led a critical A recent town hall featured the co-chairs of the faculty curriculum conversation around DEI. committee. The co-chairs and deans addressed questions about the In honor of Juneteenth, Suffolk Law curriculum, including how courses are chosen, what is she spearheaded an SBA taught in each course, and how faculty are encouraged to intentionally virtual town hall, where address issues of systemic racism, such as redlining and for-profit prisons. professors Renée M. “When a student asks a faculty leader in a public forum, Landers and Karen M. ‘Should a property law class address redlining?’ there’s a great Blum JD’74 and adjunct sense of immediacy and urgency to that question,” says Wright. professor Judge Michael C. Bolden JD’78 presented on legal and social “It’s been a great experience for all sides—for the students to have issues connected with systemic racism. On October 22, Donisca was direct access to faculty leaders, to hear their opinions, and for the honored as a racial equity champion by the Suffolk University Black faculty to hear directly from students. We’re having these hard Alumni Network, which highlighted her advocacy work at Suffolk, conversations as a community rather than in our siloes, and that’s North Carolina’s Queens University of Charlotte, and the AmeriCorps an important first step.” program in Baltimore.

Building on previous work Rising to a historic moment Wright says that the national racial justice protest movement has When asked about the DEI work ahead for the Law School, been important in gaining traction for much broader conversations Professor Maurice R. Dyson, co-chair of the Faculty DEI about race: “More people today are listening and open to talking Committee, turned to the words of American artist William Merritt about difficult DEI issues, but people should know that the Law Chace: “Diversity ... is not casual liberal tolerance of anything not School’s DEI Faculty Committee has been working hard for many yourself. It is not polite accommodation. Instead, diversity is, in years. They’ve been helping colleagues improve classroom culture, action, the sometimes painful awareness that other people, other offering suggestions to better integrate DEI matters into law classes, races, other voices, other habits of mind have as much integrity of and training faculty on microaggressions and implicit bias.” being, as much claim on the world as you do.” Wright adds that the Progress to Success: Diversity Peer “As long as we can see ourselves in each other’s hopes and ambitions,” Mentorship Program has grown exponentially over the last few Dyson says, “and respect each other’s equal right to occupy a life with years to provide a full calendar of programming, ranging from social the same dignity that we want for ourselves, then change is possible. spaces for students to find community to professional development I believe we can rise to meet this historic moment with the solemn, workshops and academic enrichment. sustained commitment it deserves and requires.”

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intent to hold the land in perpetuity for affordable housing, among other uses. In the case of affordable housing, the CLT will often build a home on its land and sell the building only— not the land—to someone of low or moderate income. The land is leased to the building owner, often for 99 years. This “ground lease” approach is TRANSACTIONAL LAW MEETS designed to ensure that the nonprofit can hold onto the land—it won’t be SOCIAL JUSTICE sold to developers. But homeowners still gain equity through appreciation of the part they do own—the building. By Michael Fisch There’s another big benefit here. As the land value goes up, the buyers hen you think of the term Tell us about the work with Puntada. in a low-income community aren’t “transactional law,” perhaps your Puntada’s worker-owners came together saddled with that high land cost, just W mind turns to corporate law— during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the building cost, so homes are more someone in a suit drafting contracts, maybe themselves and their communities. They affordable. working on a corporate merger. decided to form a worker-owned cooperative, There’s less displacement of low- What you might not think of is a worker- meaning that the workers, and not third-party income people, a lot less foreclosure, owned cooperative of immigrant women in owners, fully own and control the business. The and affordable housing for East Boston producing face masks and other workers produce and sell—or donate, in many generations. Also, because they have personal protective equipment (PPE). cases—face masks and other PPE to support the ability to vote for the CLT’s board “People don’t necessarily connect low-income immigrant communities in the of directors, long-term residents have transactional law with social justice,” Greater Boston area. Their masks have made more of a say on how the land in their says Clinical Professor Carlos Teuscher, their way to families in East Boston, Chelsea, community is used. who launched and directs Suffolk’s new Chinatown, Lynn, and Dorchester, as well as to Transactional Clinic. “But transactional other cities across the U.S. Tell us about the students’ work law can be a transformative tool for our Working with the cooperative incubator on CLTs. community-based clients. We can help create Center for Cooperative Development and One of our CLT clients this new economic structures that prioritize Solidarity in East Boston, students in the Clinic semester is the Boston Neighborhood community and equity.” recently conducted a bilingual workshop with the Community Land Trust. BNCLT Toward that end, his students work on worker-owners to better understand their legal provides affordable housing to many legal formation, debt and equity financing, needs. In addition to learning presentation and families in Boston’s communities of general contract drafting and negotiation, other client-based skills, the Clinic students are color that have been disproportionately and commercial leases, among other work. developing Puntada’s internal legal documents, impacted by COVID-19. After working at two Big Law firms, including a tailored limited liability corporation One of our student projects for Linklaters and Dechert, Teuscher brings operating agreement that will set out Puntada’s BNCLT this semester is to develop a experience in international finance deals and governance and financial structure. form of ground lease so that the CLT mergers and acquisitions to a whole new set can move forward with donations of of clients—one of those being Puntada, the The Clinic is also working with land from two separate homeowners East Boston mask-making cooperative. Community Land Trusts (CLTs). What’s in Dorchester. The lease contains Teuscher previously directed Harvard the basic idea there? affordability and other restrictions Law School’s Community Enterprise Project. A CLT is often a nonprofit corporation that so that the land is controlled by the We caught up with him to find out more is controlled by members of the community. community, while still allowing the

Photographs by Michael J. Clarke about Suffolk’s new clinic. In many CLTs, the CLT owns land with the homeowner to build equity.

24 25 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 LAW COMMUNITY

DEAN PERLMAN HELPS LEAD ACCESS-TO- JUSTICE-EFFORT

By Michael Fisch

awyers from around the country came to the American Bar Did the resolution recommend any specific innovations? Association (ABA) House of Delegates meeting in Austin, The resolution doesn’t specify what types of solutions states should L Texas, in February 2020 with a controversial question at hand: try, though states are experimenting with a lot of new approaches. For Should states be encouraged to consider innovations in the regulation example, some are implementing ways for litigants to resolve their of legal services—alterations specifically designed to expand legal disputes entirely online; others are developing automated tools and services to more Americans? forms of assistance for pro se litigants; and still others are adopting “The train is leaving the station. The ABA needs to be on that streamlined litigation processes. train,” Suffolk Law Dean Andrew Perlman told Bloomberg Law in Some states are also experimenting with new ways to regulate an interview before the landmark vote on ABA Resolution 115. the delivery of legal services, including changes to the unauthorized The metaphorical train is the increasing number of states that practice of law, the creation of new categories of legal services are adopting innovations designed to address the access-to-justice providers [the legal equivalent to registered nurse practitioners], and gap—the large numbers, 80% to 90% in many states, of low- and the loosening of restrictions on lawyers’ abilities to partner and share middle-income Americans who face critical civil legal issues like fees with other kinds of professionals. For example, Arizona and eviction without a lawyer. Utah recently adopted major reforms in these areas, and other states Resolution 115, which passed overwhelmingly, encourages states are considering doing the same. to try new ways to address the crisis. As one of the resolution’s The resolution does not take a position on these specific primary drafters, Perlman, inaugural chair of the ABA Center for innovations. Its intent is to encourage states to experiment with new Innovation and the former vice chair of the ABA Commission on the approaches. Once we assess the data and see what works and doesn’t Future of Legal Services, played a key role in the effort. work, we’ll be in a better position to know which ideas are worth He recently answered some questions about his national advocacy trying more broadly and whether it makes sense to recommend any effort. changes to the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and other model policies. In other words, the resolution encourages states to What drove the need for the resolution? be the so-called “laboratories of democracy” when it comes to the We’re falling further and further behind in terms of addressing access-to-justice crisis. the public’s civil legal needs. The problem is that traditional solutions over the last several decades, including increased pro bono efforts by Is the passage of the resolution important? lawyers, additional funding for legal aid, and civil Gideon [providing Yes, because it puts the ABA on record as encouraging states to a lawyer as of right to indigent clients in civil matters], have been consider innovations, including regulatory innovations, in the delivery insufficient. of legal services at a time when many states have started to consider We need new ideas, and a number of states are trying them. The and implement such changes. With the weight of the ABA behind the resolution says: Look at those states, assess what they’re doing, and idea, more states are likely to follow suit. And, most importantly, my consider trying some new approaches of your own. hope is that we will see fresh ideas about how we can best serve the

public’s unmet legal needs. left: Michael J. Clarke, Getty Images Photographs from

26 27 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 xxxxxxxxx ••• LAW COMMUNITY

SUFFOLK LAW LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE HYBRID ONLINE JD PROGRAM

By Michael Fisch

he Law School has launched a pioneering new to attend law school at a flexible time. We’re now leveraging Hybrid Online JD Program (HJD), the first in technology to offer students the opportunity to attend most T the country to offer full- and part-time students of law school at a flexible location. We’re basically updating a traditional in-person first-year classroom experience Archer’s original vision for the 21st century. followed by the option of taking all remaining classes online. Once students go remote, will they be able to do We spoke to Professor Gabe Teninbaum JD’05, who will moot courts, the Law Review, and other activities? oversee day-to-day operations of the program in his role as Absolutely. HJD students are full members of the the Law School’s assistant dean for innovation, strategic community. They’ll have access to all of it: extracurricular initiatives, and distance education. Teninbaum brings a activities and support services, including student groups, deep background to the position. In 2017, the ABA Journal law journals, bar prep classes, academic support, alumni called him “perhaps the most tech-savvy law professor in networking programs, and career services. Also, they’re the country,” and since 2015 he has led the Law School’s welcome to be physically on campus any time they want, Legal Innovation & Technology Concentration. just like any other student. They’ll have the additional option to take their classes, access services, and engage in Suffolk is taking a new approach with this program: extracurriculars remotely. first year on campus, followed by as much remote learning as a student wants in the following years. Was the hybrid approach brought on by the Why structure the program this way? pandemic? By enrolling in the same first-year courses as everyone else, No. Many years before the pandemic, we started to see HJD students will develop close connections with classmates a trend toward online work and collaboration in the legal and faculty. They’ll get to experience those hallmarks of 1L field. There’s no doubt that COVID-19 is accelerating year, from getting cold-called in Contracts class to participating that trend, but we were ahead of this curve and have been in oral arguments in Legal Practice Skills. But then, as upper- planning this program for some time. level students, they’ll have flexibility to live and work where they These days, if you aren’t comfortable in a remote want during the remainder of law school. environment, you’ll be at a disadvantage in the workplace. Many students have good reasons for needing to live Our HJD students will be at ease engaging in significant outside of the Boston area, whether being closer to family work remotely and using the technologies needed to or a job, or living in a less expensive region. These are do it. This will give them an advantage in a changing legitimate reasons that might otherwise prevent a person marketplace. from attending law school. We’re going to make it easier for these people to succeed by requiring them to be on How big is the program expected to be? And what campus for only one year. kind of student are you looking for? In 1906, [Suffolk Law founder] Gleason Archer started We’ll have small cohorts of no more than 25 new HJD teaching small law classes in his home for working-class students per year, and those students will have certain people and immigrants who worked during the day and qualities they share. They’ll be the innovators, the first- attended law school at night. Archer found a way to help adopters. In this unprecedented time, that’s a good person people overcome obstacles by offering them the opportunity to be.

26 27 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Empathy and

RehabilitationBy Tom Mashberg with reporting from Michael Fisch Suffolk Law community helps forge new path for the courts

29 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 n his early years as a prosecutor in Suffolk County, Michael V. Glennon JD’10 says he struggled with how to help juvenile offenders. I “We were developing their criminal records but not doing the work needed to support them and keep them out of the system in the long term,” says Glennon, chief of the Juvenile Unit at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. “Or we’d lean on a program we were familiar with rather than calibrating to that particular youth’s needs. So the outcomes we were getting for moderate- and high-risk youth were all wrong.” Glennon joined forces with another Suffolk Law alum, University Trustee Daniel F. Conley JD’83, who as Suffolk County’s district attorney from 2002 until 2018 created reforms like the 2017 Juvenile Alternative Resolution (JAR) Program. Glennon developed JAR and now oversees it as part of the Juvenile Unit. Their goal was to increase public safety, while at the same time reducing youth involvement with the courts—and the lifelong barriers that ensue with a criminal record. That meant creating plans for services and interventions outside of the court system and appropriate to the specific offender. Glennon is naturally bullish on the effort, calling it “one of the most important things I’ll do in my career,” and now he has hard data behind him. Early statistics from the Juvenile Justice and Policy Data Board in Massachusetts, as well as a large body of national research, show that youths who have taken part in diversion programs are less likely to reoffend than those who are formally processed through the juvenile courts. And according to the state’s Juvenile Justice Reform Coalition, each dollar spent on diversion produces benefits of $10.60 to $25.60 for the

Photographs from left: Cooper Baumgartner, Roberto Valdivia, Adobe (4), Tim Arterbury, Adobe, Clay Banks, Jon Tyson Adobe (4), Tim Arterbury, Roberto Valdivia, left: Cooper Baumgartner, Photographs from community.

29 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Just one aspect of reform teenage first-offenders out of prison; allowing But a new generation of progressive DAs Juvenile diversion is one of a number of some criminal records for 18- to 21-year-olds in Massachusetts are rejecting that mindset criminal justice reform measures that have to be expunged; ending mandatory minimum and embracing reforms. emerged locally and nationally in recent sentences for low-level drug crimes; and setting “What I’ve seen that is really encouraging years, many of them spearheaded by Suffolk up a medical-release program for terminally ill is that options are growing,” Miller says. Law alumni. and elderly inmates. “Things like pre- and post-trial arraignments, Reform is, of course, an elastic and According to the Bureau of Justice diversions and alternative sentencing options, amorphous term. But in the arena of court Statistics, 65% of inmates in American jails and the assigning of cases to specialty courts reforms, Suffolk Law experts say, it includes have not been convicted of the offense they that are ‘pre-adjudication,’ so an individual model initiatives like the expansion of both are charged with. They are awaiting court is held responsible and is granted support juvenile and adult diversion programs; action but cannot afford what are often without the need for a guilty finding.” specialty courts that focus on drug addiction, onerous or punitive fees and bail amounts. Miller is working on increasing such homelessness, veterans’ issues, and mental Those situations, research shows, lead to a options as co-chair of the Massachusetts health; major changes in bail laws; wider higher rate of future offenses. Trial Court’s Boston Community Justice access to remote judicial hearings; greater A centerpiece of the Massachusetts Task Force, a group charged with increasing use of prosecutorial discretion; and reducing legislation is its bail reform measures, which diversion, especially in the areas of mental jail populations, especially in the age of require that judges, in setting bail, take into health and substance abuse. COVID-19. account a person’s financial resources and A vital aspect of the reform movement allow fees and fines to be waived for financial A new pre-sentencing approach is its tight focus on data and independent hardship. Judges must also justify in writing for substance abusers validation, so that skeptics can see if new instances in which bail is set so high that it Rachelle Steinberg JD’00, MSCJ’03, approaches are objectively effective. One prevents someone’s release. assistant deputy superintendent with the way to get the data is to offer more juveniles Cronin says she was especially gratified Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, says that diversion programs. Nicole Siino JD’18, a that her efforts had strong bipartisan the justice system is starting to see substance graduate of Suffolk’s Legal Innovation & support. “We’ve seen justice reform become abuse as a problem that doesn’t lend itself to Technology Concentration, has developed a a bipartisan issue around the country,” she simply leaving a person in jail. Public safety tool that helps achieve that goal (see page 5). says. “That’s because research and data show outcomes for the community are better While early results have been positive, these reforms reduce recidivism, increase and less expensive when people get needed more data is needed to learn whether the public safety, and save money.” medical, mental health, and substance- reforms championed by Suffolk-connected abuse treatment and learn some life and experts will pay long-term dividends in Improving prosecutorial vocational skills, she says. rehabilitation and public safety. discretion Steinberg oversees the Opioid and Christina E. Miller, who runs the Law Addiction Services Inside South Bay A Suffolk grad’s pivotal role School’s Prosecutor Program and served as program, or OASIS, which launched in One Massachusetts legislator and Suffolk the Chief of District Courts and Community 2018. The program focuses on intensive Law graduate instrumental in passing the Prosecutions at the Suffolk County District substance-abuse treatment and discharge- state’s landmark criminal justice reform Attorney’s Office, has long focused on the planning services for male pretrial offenders. legislation of 2018 is Rep. Claire D. Cronin complex matter of prosecutorial discretion. The men remanded to the unit, about 30 at JD’85 of the 11th Plymouth District, She spent years managing the hiring and any given time, aren’t free to leave, but haven’t House chair of the Joint Committee on the training of assistant district attorneys at a been sentenced either, giving them a chance to Judiciary, and the first woman to serve in that time when efforts to have prosecutors treat turn their lives around through comprehensive role. She was a primary author of the bill and lower-level legal and criminal matters more substance-abuse counseling, mentorship and oversaw the bipartisan conference committee holistically took hold as a reform priority. support from peers in the program, and other negotiations that got it to the governor’s desk. “Every day an ADA makes from 30 to 100 Sheriff’s Department offerings. The law affects people of all ages who discretionary decisions,” she says. “There are Most of the participants create become ensnared in the legal system. Provisions charging and sentencing recommendations, individualized reentry plans with OASIS include upping the age when youths can enter financial penalties, bail amounts, and so on.” staff that are coordinated with local service the court system from 7 to 12; removing For decades, some prosecutors focused on agencies and include detailed program and restrictions on diversion programs to keep using those decisions to drive guilty pleas. treatment steps.

30 31 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 When judges decide that such a plan “I think we have always been more In the end, criminal justice reform is as seems reasonable and in keeping with the advanced on justice reform,” he says, noting much about empathy and rehabilitation as it nature of the crime, offenders may be released a wealth of data showing that “over the years is about data and funding. on probation or to a residential treatment our rates of incarceration have declined— Benedetti asks, “If we cannot end the program, or both, with strict guidelines. and, remarkably, crime was going down as cradle-to-prison pipeline in Massachusetts, Correctional facilities like Suffolk jail populations were going down.” what hope does the rest of the country have?” County’s are “managing a difficult challenge, Anthony Benedetti JD’93, chief counsel One answer to that question may lie as we have become de facto mental health for the Committee for Public Counsel within the pockets of the Massachusetts and substance-abuse treatment facilities,” she Services, agrees that the state has made justice system that are finding practical ways says. “Our goal is to have someone walk out progress, especially with juvenile justice, to maintain public safety while giving some of our facilities, and the OASIS program, probation practices, and bail reform. offenders a shot at redemption. more equipped than when they came in. To However, he cautions that “the state’s do that, we offer evidence-based treatment incarceration rates are still astronomical and services that are gender-specific and compared to Europe.” trauma-informed.” “All of us who work in the system, Charu Verma JD’11, a staff attorney at including defenders, prosecutors, and the Committee for Public Counsel Services judges, need to take responsibility for (the public defender’s office) and co-chair of creating a fairer and more effective legal the Massachusetts Bar Association Criminal system,” he says. Justice Section Council, concurs with Steinberg’s root-causes approach. A judge takes the long view “I think today there’s more attention Judge Serge Georges, Jr. JD’96, nominee being paid to the science of substance abuse (at press time) for the Supreme Judicial Court and mental health disorders, and how those and long-time teacher at Suffolk Law, grew “We’ve seen justice intersect with criminal behavior,” she says. up in Dorchester and ran the Municipal reform become a “The science leads you to spending more Drug Court there from 2014 to 2018. In the money up front before people are caught up in end, reliable financing for the specialty court bipartisan issue the justice system—more money for treatment system and its affiliated diversion programs is around the country. beds, transitional housing, social workers, key to success, he says. diversion programs, specialty courts.” Georges has been praised by the That’s because As enhanced data is collected about Massachusetts Bar Association and the savings accrued by treating the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, among others, research and data causes of criminal behavior as well as the for showing extraordinary compassion to show these reforms positive public safety outcomes of keeping low-level offenders—urging them to embrace communities whole, she says, the state’s diversionary programs and assisting them reduce recidivism, budgeting priorities will start to change—and in staying off the courtroom to prison-cell increase public that’s when criminal justice reform efforts conveyor belt. will really begin to take hold. “Now,” she “An appropriately staffed drug court is safety, and save says, “when hearts and minds are in the right worth doing,” he says. “Otherwise it can places, we lack the resources.” be a waste of time. You need a clinician, money.” a probation officer, the commitment of the - Rep. Claire D. Cronin JD’85 Incarceration numbers DA’s office, a defense attorney, and long- Former DA Conley says Massachusetts term treatment beds all in place to make prosecutors are more likely to embrace it work.” changes that would be politically anathema Georges points to the drug courts, in more prison-oriented states. Prisoner a major catch-basin for people who are numbers at the Suffolk County House of headed for a life of crime. “It’s a shame Corrections, for example, fell from around courts may be the only way a person can get 1,000 when he took office to 500 in 2018. help,” he said.

30 31 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 SUFFOLK LAW RESPONDS TO THE HOUSING CRISIS Tackling discrimination and affordable housing head on

By Michael Fisch with reporting from Mark Potts Photography by Michael J. Clarke

33 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 STUDY FINDS DISCRIMINATION HDTP’s rigorously designed testing program began in PERVADES GREATER BOSTON’S 2012 and has resulted in multiple enforcement actions RENTAL MARKET by state agencies. When Aisha inquired about an apartment in Boston recently, the listing agent said he wasn’t sure when he City signs agreement with Suffolk planned to show the unit, asked Aisha for her credit The most recent findings were so compelling that score, and told her to text her number so he could call the they prompted immediate calls for change. next day. The listing agent didn’t follow up, so Aisha tried A few days after the study was released on July 1, him again. The agent rushed her off the phone, saying, 2020, industry publication Banker & Tradesman called on “You gotta stop calling me.” She never heard from the the state’s Attorney General’s Office to convene a task agent again. force to address the housing discrimination problem. But when another young woman, Meredith, called “No serious person can tell themselves that these about the same apartment, the agent immediately results were the product of shoddy study design,” the offered her a tour, confirmed it by text, and didn’t ask publication wrote. “To make sure no other factor could for her credit score. influence the broker’s actions, the listings in each test Why the difference? were randomly chosen, testers did not know each other, Aisha and Meredith are race-associated names participated in only one test each, and, in each test, had chosen quite purposefully by Suffolk Law’s Housing the same income, credit score, sex, disability, family size, Discrimination Testing Program (HDTP) as part of a study and gender identity.” in which undercover testers interacted with rental agents Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who or landlords of 50 randomly selected rental properties in referenced the study on NBC 10, was just one of several Greater Boston from August 2018 to July 2019. councilors who took to local media this summer to This summer, the HDTP’s findings were compiled decry widespread housing discrimination in the city and in a study co-authored by the Analysis Group and to announce a formal council hearing on the HDTP’s funded by The Boston Foundation. findings. At that hearing on October 13, Suffolk Law Highlights from the findings Professor William Berman, director of the HDTP, laid Overall, Black testers faced discrimination in 71% out the study’s conclusions. William Onuoha, director of of the tests, including issues like not being able to make Boston’s Office of Fair Housing & Equity (OFHE), then an appointment, not being offered the discounts or free announced that the OFHE had signed an agreement parking offered to white testers, and not being offered with Suffolk Law to fund a new discrimination testing an application. Agents showed Black testers about half coordinator position, housed at Suffolk. The new hire the number of apartments shown to white testers and will be part of the HDTP and will run a comprehensive were far less likely to return Black testers’ calls—just undercover testing program across Boston. 62% of the time versus 92% for white testers. And for people using a Section 8 voucher, which A commitment to enforcement helps low-income families, the elderly, and people with Spurred by Suffolk’s data, Onuoha announced disabilities afford rental housing in the private market, that the OFHE will file agency-initiated enforcement the chances of even touring an apartment were few and actions against agents and landlords found to be far between. discriminating. “This is particularly important, because Nearly 90% of testers who indicated they were the responsibility of fighting housing discrimination using a voucher faced discrimination, regardless shouldn’t only fall on victims,” says Jamie Langowski, of their race. In a number of cases, the brokers told assistant director of the HDTP. the testers outright that the owner was not accepting “Imagine you’re rushing to find a place to live for voucher participants. your family, addressing your work responsibilities, and Both state and federal law prohibit housing then you add on a layer of trying to convince a lawyer to discrimination based on race and source of income, take on a housing discrimination case,” says Langowski. among other reasons, so the findings suggest both “It’s hard for anyone in that set of circumstances to pervasive discrimination and unlawful conduct. The make a legal case a priority.” And people often don’t

33 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 know they are being discriminated against, A “hollow” promise complexes will increase housing prices, alter she adds. “The promise of the Section 8 program neighborhood demographics, and displace Discipline of rental agents who is a hollow one if a voucher holder is turned current residents. discriminate is rare, and the state legislature away from renting a property nine out of Infranca set out to better understand should make it easier to suspend offending 10 times just because they are trying to use the fiery opposition in the Bay State, and brokers, Langowski argues. Toward that a voucher—and this in a state where this across the country, to proposed changes end, the HDTP is regularly convening kind of discrimination is explicitly illegal. in zoning laws, the substance of new laws fair housing stakeholders from nonprofits, A person can’t hope to use a voucher for that have passed in certain states, and a the government, and academia to push upward mobility under these conditions,” potential route forward. He is focusing his for changes in enforcement, punishment, Professor Berman says. scholarship on related issues. broker training, and the legal processes for “Housing is the most basic of In November 2019, he organized a acquiring fair housing. necessities,” he adds. “Where you live two-day national roundtable where leading With a strong commitment for legal impacts your health, your access to academics, policy makers, and advocates enforcement from the City, more instances education, and economic opportunities. from across the country discussed recent of housing discrimination will be challenged The fact that such a high level of race housing and zoning reform efforts. Speakers and stopped, she says. discrimination exists in our community is a directly involved with reforms in California, disgrace and acts as a barrier to opportunity Oregon, and elsewhere discussed lessons How does housing discrimination that must be removed.” learned and potential roads forward in testing work? Massachusetts and beyond. Seventy-one Suffolk Law students served ADDRESSING THE Last spring, he learned he was among just among 200 testers posing as interested AFFORDABILITY CRISIS 16 professors to receive one of the country’s renters. Pairs of testers, equal except for the top legal academic honors for junior characteristic they were testing for, started A separate but related problem for those faculty, an invitation to present his research the process by calling the advertisers of 50 who seek affordable housing is that there at the Stanford/Harvard/Yale Junior randomly selected rentals in nine Greater simply isn’t an adequate supply, says Suffolk Faculty Forum. His paper, “Differentiating Boston cities and 11 Boston neighborhoods. Law Professor John Infranca, a housing and Exclusionary Tendencies,” is forthcoming in White testers were assigned names such land-use expert. the Florida Law Review. as Brad and Anne, and Black testers were In Massachusetts, and across the country, assigned names like Latonya and Jermaine. neighborhood activists in lower-income and Build it or not, they will come The testers recorded their experiences in working-class communities and residents of The version of gentrification that meticulously structured reports. wealthy towns are both fighting against the has solidified in popular culture, usually For example, in one test, “Lakisha,” a development of new and dense multi-unit including images of hipsters sipping lattés, Black tester and a Suffolk Law student, met housing, says Infranca. suggests certain truths, Infranca says, but his with an agent to view an apartment. He did When it comes to these large apartment research points to a different conclusion than not offer her a rental application and did not complexes, residents of wealthy towns that of many anti-gentrification activists. He mention any additional, unadvertised units. often point to concerns about traffic and contends that gentrification is largely caused However, when “Allison,” a white tester contend that schools and town services will by demand—not new supply. and also a Suffolk Law student, met with be overburdened. While in some cases these People who can’t afford to live in the same agent, he offered her a rental concerns may have merit, they also reflect Boston’s South End or Jamaica Plain, for application before she even entered the a longstanding tradition of NIMBYism example, will move into less expensive apartment, and told her after the viewing (not-in-my-backyard), Infranca says, and neighborhoods in Roxbury and Hyde Park that he wanted to show her an additional sometimes personal prejudice. Some whether developers build new housing or unit. He went on to explain “they don’t people, he says, won’t admit that prejudice not, he argues. If no new housing stock advertise that apartment because then they against Black renters and voucher holders is available, that means more competition would have to respond to everyone who is a key reason why they stand against for existing units, housing prices rise inquires” and they were looking for “people multi-story developments with affordable even more rapidly, and there’s even more with quiet lifestyles who work, not CEOs housing. But, as the recent HDTP study displacement. necessarily, but people with good jobs.” makes clear, racial prejudice remains alive Infranca points to a study by Lance He invited Allison to join “a select group” and well. Freeman, a Columbia University affordable that would tour the unadvertised unit the Meanwhile, anti-gentrification activists housing and urban planning expert, following day. in blue-collar towns argue that new housing which shows that people in gentrifying

34 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law leaders in housing reform, from left, Jamie Langowski, assistant director of the Housing Discrimination Testing Program (HDTP), and William Berman, Suffolk Law professor and director of the HDTP. Suffolk Law Professor John Infranca, a housing and land-use expert. 34 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 36 37 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 neighborhoods don’t move out of their apartments more often than There are a few critical reasons to consider doing that, he argues, people do in persistently poor neighborhoods. including the historical injustices faced by these neighborhoods: Regardless of their neighborhood, low-income individuals tend redlining, discrimination, and disinvestment. Additionally, low- to move a lot, Infranca says. “What’s different is who moves in when income communities generally have a high proportion of renters. people move out, and in gentrifying neighborhoods it tends to be more The time commitment and costs of finding a new affordable rental affluent, oftentimes white residents moving in. So, if all that is true, is harder to bear for a lower-income person than for someone who new housing supply by itself is not going to lead to higher levels of is higher income, he says. displacement.” Infranca also points to Suffolk’s recent rental housing Instead, he argues, new housing supply should help keep discrimination study, which uncovers additional obstacles faced by housing prices from skyrocketing. voucher-holders and Black renters. If we fail to increase the pace of new development, we risk He concludes that treating certain neighborhoods differently moving in the direction of the San Francisco area, he warns, noting than others makes sense as a way to target a narrow subset of the images many have seen on television. In Palo Alto, California, gentrification concerns, including the claims of long-term residents in the heart of Silicon Valley, news crews document battered RVs to a stake in their neighborhoods. Infranca also suggests coming and scruffy cars lining the main road next to Stanford University, up with new ways to grant long-term residents of low-income makeshift living places for workers who can’t afford the area’s communities a financial interest in development. hyper-expensive housing. One option, his paper argues, would grant property owners and Greater Boston, facing its own affordable housing crisis, has long-term tenants development rights they could sell to a nearby significant parallels with the San Francisco area, he says. Both have property. This would permit the purchaser to build a higher-density limited new development—even as their technology, health, and development, while giving residents a financial stake and some other hot job markets continue to attract affluent workers willing degree of control over new development in their community. and able to pay top dollar for rent or home ownership. “That combination has resulted in massive housing price An industry perspective increases and evictions. The status quo of too much demand and Dean’s Cabinet member Jeffrey R. Drago JD’04, a partner too little new housing supply is not going to work, and we’ve seen it at Drago & Toscano, a Boston zoning/permitting law firm that play out. It’s clear we need to figure out some creative approaches.” represents developers seeking to build large and small residential and commercial buildings, agrees with Infranca that higher-density Looking to the future development is part of the solution. In many cases, Infranca says, longstanding zoning laws effectively “In many cases we go out to start community processes in a limit the construction of new housing. Suburban towns, for instance, neighborhood and folks will say it’s too dense or too high or not with zoning that mandates single-family homes on sizable lots, make enough parking. However, if you want to address affordability, you it difficult, if not impossible, for new, denser housing to be built need to allow for larger-scale development,” he says. “Then the that might increase affordability. That in turns limits opportunities municipalities can ask the developers for more affordable units in for new residents to move into those communities—and often return. With a greater supply, the demand will also go down.” exacerbates existing discrimination against people of color. HYM Investments LLC, founded by Boston developer Tom In Oregon, a recent state law requires cities with more than O’Brien JD’93, is overseeing the redevelopment of East Boston’s 10,000 people to allow duplexes in areas zoned for single-family Suffolk Downs. The project increased the required 13% affordable homes, a concept called upzoning. In California, there’s a movement housing to 20%—the highest feasible amount, according to O’Brien. to upzone across the state, Infranca says. “We have two options: we can build a development that includes Such state upzoning measures—some of which prohibit up to 20% of affordable housing or we cannot build the project exclusively single-family zoning and others that would permit at all—it’s a pretty stark choice, unfortunately,” he says. “We need denser, multi-family housing near transit hubs—are worth a national initiative to go and build more housing and make that considering, he argues, but controversial. Efforts along these lines housing affordable to more people.” have found limited traction in Massachusetts. New affordable units are important, but equally important is equity, says HDTP director William Berman. He has been Should low-income communities have greater say regarding surprised by the vehemence of opposition to affordable housing in development? Massachusetts, and the veiled and not so veiled suggestions of race In his paper, Infranca examines whether low-income and class that go along with that: “That vehemence comes with neighborhoods should have a greater degree of control over new a significant cost to the community, in that economically we can’t development than very affluent communities do. promote growth if we don’t have access to affordable housing.”

36 37 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Walk in My Shoes: A Day in the Life of a Black Woman Attorney Danielle Johnson’s essay is reprinted with the permission of the Boston Bar Journal, where it appeared on May 28, 2020. She is a staff attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services, where her practice focuses on elder housing and disability benefits.

By Danielle Johnson JD’16

f you approach the steps of the Edward Brooke driver’s license, and after close inspection—notably which Courthouse (named after the first African American are not scrutinized for my white colleagues, who flash their I elected to the U.S. Senate post Reconstruction) around cards and proceed before me—I am allowed to pass the first 8:45 a.m. on a Thursday morning—colloquially known as test and enter the foyer of the marbled courthouse. “Eviction Thursday” in Boston—there is a seemingly endless Inside, the courthouse is buzzing, and the clamor of line of people, mostly in street clothes, waiting anxiously to chatter and movements echo throughout the hallways. I get through the security screening. I approach, dressed in a make my way up to the fifth floor for the call of the lists. suit and dress shoes with my hair neatly dreadlocked. I walk Exiting the elevator, the scene that awaits can overwhelm an quickly past the lines of waiting litigants with my bar card unsuspecting person, but it is business as usual for Eviction and driver’s license in hand. I am a young African American Thursday. The two “Attorney of the Day” tables are set up woman and I am an attorney. In court, I am both an anomaly to provide quick legal advice, one for pro se landlords and the and a chameleon, depending on whom I encounter. other for pro se tenants. The area is so crammed with people that one cannot see the Attorneys of the Day. This is not surprising given that in 2019 alone, 39,600 households faced The Court: The Tale of Two Lines The familiar discomfort starts outside the courthouse. eviction in Massachusetts. Of these, 92% of the tenants were To get through the door of the courthouse to the Eastern unrepresented; in contrast, more than 70% of landlords Housing Court sessions on the fifth floor, I must walk past were represented. the long lines of fellow people of color waiting to submit At the Attorney of the Day table for tenants, I flip themselves to the security screening—which often includes an through the dockets and see the usual massive number of electronic pat-down—before being allowed in the building. It new eviction cases—about 150 in total—and 55 motion is my weekly routine to swallow the discomfort of the two hearings on the two lists. The day will be long. I brace lines; one short line for predominantly white attorneys and myself for the ongoing series of tests that I will face, each of another longer line for the litigants, including my clients, which will demand that I prove who I am, making Eviction predominantly people of color. I present my bar card and Thursday an even more exhausting day. Photograph by Michael J. Clarke Continued on page 40

38 39 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 38 39 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 “In court, I am both an anomaly and a chameleon, depending on whom I encounter.” This is the daily reality of what it means to be an attorney of color The Client: “You’re My Lawyer?” Finding my client among the sea of black and brown faces who in Massachusetts, navigating unwritten tests to prove that I exist, I are anxiously searching for answers from anyone who might be am qualified, and that I belong. willing to listen is doable if I have previously met the tenant. Today Once the call of the lists begins, the doors to the standing- is not that day. Working in legal aid, where there is a mismatch room-only courtrooms are shut. Any defendant not present in between high demand and limited resources, I often walk through the correct courtroom for the call will be defaulted. Most tenants the hall shouting out names of clients I will meet for the first time who answer are visibly anxious. Once referred to court mediation in court. When my first call does not yield a response, I call again. on the third floor, some will go over agreements with a housing Success! I formally introduce myself to the client and field the specialist, but most will be diverted to sign, without the benefit of expected question: “You’re the attorney I spoke with?” Surprise a hearing or trial, the pre-drafted form agreement for judgment mixed with suspicion registers on my client’s face. For my clients, it offered by the landlord’s attorney. This is accomplished quickly is my youth that is concerning. I am used to this look of doubt as an in the hallway, often with no understanding on the part of the attorney who practices exclusively with elders; this is my second test tenants of the document they have signed, including the waiver of the day. It is the unspoken challenge to my legitimacy raised by my of their right to request a stay, seek reconsideration, or pursue appearance. I deflect their anxiety with humor using stereotypical an appeal. Instead, they blindly focus on the quickest option that images of attorneys common to their generation: “I must look allows them to remain in their home and escape the stress of adolescent, not the Matlock or Perry Mason you were expecting?” being in court. To get past the awkwardness, I direct my client’s attention to the goal My client, who was previously pro se, had signed such an for the day and what to expect in the courtroom. But sometimes this agreement for judgment with the landlord. The slightest breach is not sufficient assurance. I confidently explain to my client that this of any of its conditions, including all incorporated lease terms, is is “not my first rodeo,” and hope that I have gained their trust. I deemed material and could trigger an execution for possession— leave them to their thoughts and move on to find opposing counsel. and the agreement waived all stays of execution. But today, there will be no execution for possession. Today, I have prevailed in negotiating an amendment to the “sword of Damocles” The Bench and the Bar Housing courts tend to have their usual players, so locating a agreement, and substituted a sustainable repayment plan with specific attorney is not often difficult. Again, today is not that day. sufficient time to access third-party rental assistance through the Like a chameleon, I pass unnoticed through the tenants crowding Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program the halls while waiting anxiously for the courtrooms to open, and for the onerous agreement for judgment. I also connected the quickly scan each white individual in a suit. In the courtroom, elderly client to the court’s Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP). shades of brown dominate, speckled here and there by clusters of I am the most pleased with my success in changing the basis for ivory. I am not the only person of color, or the only woman, or the the eviction from “fault” to “no-fault,” thereby protecting my only person of modest economic means. Even so, there is a clear client from mandatory termination of their Section 8 housing dichotomy: The majority of the tenants are minorities while the choice voucher. majority of attorneys are white and male. Then there is me. I have passed today’s last test. I achieved a successful outcome. As the list is called, the attorneys jockey for seats in the jury box. I demonstrated my competence to my client and proved my In that segregated space, protected against the huddled masses negotiation skills to an opposing counsel with whom I had not packed into the courtroom, the color scheme flips; today, I am worked in the past. the only grain of pepper in a sea of salt. I sigh, recalling the day the court officer singled me out: “Hey, you can’t sit there. You a Legal Aid and the Massachusetts Bar lawyer?” Moving past colleagues to an empty seat, I speculate that Back at my office at Greater Boston Legal Services, my

they are wondering: “Does she know this section is for attorneys?” shoulders relax. Here, I am not burdened by expectations to Lucas Foundation Wright Photograph: Courtesy of the Sarita and Claire

40 41 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 conform to the culture and hierarchy of a Boston law firm. I am not oppressed Honoring the memory of by inadvertent stereotyping nor subject to daily microaggressions that a rising star in Criminal Justice would stunt any lawyer’s professional The Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation strives for diversity in the law growth. Notwithstanding, my By Kara Baskin and Janet Parkinson dominant experience navigating my chosen profession is one of alienation, exclusion, and discomfort—the price that I pay under the “invisible labor clause” for being a Black woman legal aid attorney in Massachusetts, serving the poorest people in Boston who are predominantly people of color, like me. In her memory, Lucas’ mother, Wanda In my career, I have experienced Geer, established the Sarita and Claire racism, gender discrimination, and Wright Lucas Foundation (SCWLF) in elitism. My experience is not unique. 2015 to support other Black women who Throughout the Commonwealth, want to pursue careers as prosecutors—a attorneys of color are called upon step toward making those demographics to prove their qualifications daily, to more representative of the U.S. population. colleagues, clients, court personnel, and “There are very few women even clerks and judges. prosecutors—and very few women of color The 2019 demographic survey who are prosecutors. Our goal is diversity conducted by the Supreme Judicial in the law to create a more equitable Court, in collaboration with the criminal justice system,” Geer says. Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Elected prosecutors in the United To that end, the SCWLF grants revealed that out of 22,743 participating States are overwhelmingly white and $5,000 scholarships to Black female law attorneys, 20,043 (86%) identified as male, according to the 2019 Reflective students to cover the cost of preparing white, and only 494 (2%) identified as Democracy Campaign. Only 3% are men for and taking the bar exam in four states. Black or African American, 519 (2%) of color; and while 24% are female, just “If you go into private practice, usually as Hispanic or Latinix, and 574 (2%) as 2% are women of color. the firm will cover many of these costs, if Asian. These numbers make clear what As a Black assistant district attorney not all of the cost—but people who want my experience has proven—there is a Sarita Wright Lucas JD’08 didn’t let those to go into public service are on their own gross lack of minority representation in demographics constrain her. At Suffolk financially,” Geer says. the Massachusetts bar. Law, Lucas interned at a corporate law A second $5,000 employment This is not a “woe is me” story. It firm but found her calling as a prosecutor incentive is available if recipients become is a call to action for cultural diversity after an internship in Boston Municipal prosecutors. In its first five years, the in law firms and legal organizations Court. She became deputy attorney SCWLF has granted scholarships to 11 and, more importantly, for reflection general with the Delaware Department of Black women. on and recognition of each of our Justice in Wilmington, Delaware, which is Although the foundation has focused implicit biases. My day is over, but these ranked one of the most violent U.S. cities on the Mid-Atlantic region, it will launch challenges will repeat tomorrow and on a per-capita basis. A rising star, Lucas a paid summer internship program in next week and every month thereafter took more felony cases to trial in 2013 than 2021 with the Suffolk and Middlesex with a new list of scared, mostly poor, any other prosecutor. She was named head County District Attorneys’ Offices, with minority tenants, assembled in lines to of the Wilmington Trial Unit in 2014, preference given to Suffolk Law students. enter a courthouse named for the first becoming one of the youngest attorneys “Sarita wanted to make a difference African American attorney general to head a criminal unit, trying homicides, in the justice system, as a woman of of Massachusetts, all in effort to get assaults, and other violent crimes. color, for victims. She was really just so “justice.” We should do better. We can Tragically, she died that same year of passionate about it. We wanted to honor do better. pregnancy-related complications. that,” Geer says.

40 41 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 DEAN’S CABINET COMMITTED ALUMNI INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF SUFFOLK LAW

DEAN’S CABINET GROWS TO 45 MEMBERS

The Dean’s Cabinet now has 45 members, each of whom has committed at least $50,000 to support the Law School’s programs and students. Members meet with the dean twice per year to receive updates about Suffolk Law, offer strategic advice about the Law School’s direction, and engage with their accomplished fellow members.

Two new members share what inspired them to join.

JACQUELINE L. PERCZEK JD’94 “Someone once wrote that the price of leadership in academia is to forge the path forward and await the judgment of the future. Dean Perlman is not waiting for the future. The future is now! An innovator and trailblazer, Dean Perlman’s global vision has taken our law school to the next level of excellence. Suffolk Law enjoys enviable national rankings in various categories, we have a spectacular faculty, and our school is defining the path forward. I made a gift to the school because I want to advance the mission of our leadership and honor the mission of our founders—to pass on a gift when we can, and to help widen the path to education.” CARL P. GROSS JD’71 “I had Sargent for Torts, Lemelman for Property and Taxation, and Judge for Contracts. They inspired me, and I credit a lot of my success to them and Suffolk Law as a whole. Dean Perlman visited [my family]—I was impressed with him and his vision. His assurances to me that the Suffolk mission would not be altered convinced me to up my game financially.”

42 43 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 DEAN’S CABINET

SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL DEAN’S CABINET MEMBERS

Patricia M. Annino Kevin M. Fitzgerald Henry G. Kara BSBA’66, Robert T. Noonan JD’85 Mark E. Sullivan JD’97, JD’81 JD’82 JD’69 Regional Managing Partner Trustee Partner Partner President (ret.) Partner (ret.) Rimon Law Nixon Peabody, LLP Kara Law Offices KMPG, LLP Nelson Mullins Riley & Boston, MA Manchester, NH Boston, MA Boston, MA Scarborough LLP Boston, MA Joy L. Backer JD’15 Christine Newman George N. Keches Eric J. Parker JD’86 Associate Garvey JD’72, Trustee JD’75 Partner Regina C. Sullivan Fish & Richardson PC Global Head of Corporate Senior Partner Parker Scheer, LLP JD’88 Boston, MA Real Estate and Services Keches Law Group, PC Lecturer Managing Partner (ret.) Taunton, MA Suffolk University Law Gaman Real Estate Group Todd L. Boudreau JD’98 Deutsche Bank AG School LLC Partner Santa Barbara, CA James A. Lack JD’96 Boston, MA Wellesley, MA Morrison & Foerster, LLP President and Founder Boston, MA Kenneth T. Gear HPL Enterprises Jacqueline L. Perczek Thomas M. Sullivan BSBA’89, JD’95 Sunny Isles Beach, FL JD’94 JD’94 Alexander A. Bove, Jr. Chief Executive Officer Partner Founding Partner JD’67 Leading Builders of Warren G. Levenbaum Black, Srebnick, Kornspan Lando & Anastasi, LLP Partner America, Inc. JD’72 & Stumpf, PA Instructor Bove & Langa P.C. Washington, DC Managing Partner Miami, FL Suffolk University Sawyer Boston, MA Levenbaum Trachtenberg, Business School Marc S. Geller JD’71 PLC Jamie A. Sasson JD’04 Boston, MA Brian T. Brandt JD’96 Managing Director Phoenix, AZ Managing Partner Managing Director Sternhill Partners, Ltd. The Ticktin Law Group, PA James S. Trainor JD’00 SCS Financial LLC Houston, TX Konstantinos Ligris Deerfield Beach, FL Partner Boston, MA JD’01, Trustee Fenwick & West LLP Joseph W. Glannon Founder & Board Member Lewis A. Sassoon JD’69 New York, NY Claudine A. Cloutier Professor of Law Ligris + Associates, PC Partner JD’95 Suffolk University Law Co-Founder Sassoon & Cymrot LLP Kenneth J. Vacovec Partner School Escrow Mint, LLC Boston, MA JD’75 Keches Law Group, PC Boston, MA Newton, MA Senior Partner Taunton, MA Janis B. Schiff JD’83 Vacovec, Mayotte & Carl P. Gross JD’71 Deborah Marson JD’78 Partner Singer, LLP Barry C. Cosgrove Director & President Executive Vice President, Holland & Knight, LLP Newton, MA JD’85 GB Ltd. Operating Co., Inc. General Counsel & Washington, DC Chairman & CEO Freehold, NJ Secretary Richard J. Walsh BA’58, Blackmore Partners, LLC Iron Mountain, Inc. Alan B. Sharaf JD’87 JD’60 Laguna Beach, CA Ernst Guerrier BS’91, Boston, MA Partner Attorney (ret.) JD’94, Trustee Sharaf & Maloney, PC Federal Trade Commission Gerry D’Ambrosio JD’93 Principal Michael J. McCormack Brookline, MA Naples, FL Partner Guerrier & Associates, PC JD’72 D’Ambrosio Brown, LLP Boston, MA Partner Marie-Louise Skafte Stephen N. Wilchins Boston, MA McCormack Suny, LLC JD’96 JD’82 James F. Haley, Jr. Boston, MA Founder Founding Partner Gerard S. DiFiore JD’84 JD’75 Skafte Global Law, PA Wilchins, Cosentino, Partner Partner Timothy M. McCrystal Fort Lauderdale, FL Novins LLP Reed Smith, LLP Haley Guiliano, LLP JD’89 Wellesley, MA New York, NY New York, NY Partner Wayne E. Smith Ropes & Gray, LLP BSBA’77, JD’82 Linda J. Wondrack Jeffrey R. Drago JD’04 Bradley M. Henry JD’91 Boston, MA Adjunct Professor JD’95 Founding Partner Partner Suffolk University Law EVP, Head of Compliance Drago + Toscano, LLP Meedhan, Boyle, Black & Brian E. McManus School for Advice Solutions Boston, MA Bogdanow, PC JD’71 Firm Director (ret.) Fidelity Investments Boston, MA President Deloitte Tax LLP Boston, MA McManus Capital Boston, MA Management

Photographs courtesy of Jacqueline L. Perczek, Carl P. Gross Carl P. Photographs courtesy of Jacqueline L. Perczek, Fort Worth, TX

42 43 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 RETIREMENTS SUFFOLK LAW FACULTY RETIREMENTS

STUDENT AWARD NAMED FOR FORMER DEAN ROBERT SMITH

Robert H. Smith served as the Law School’s dean for eight years (1999–2007) and retired in May 2020 after serving an additional 13 years on the faculty. To honor his retirement and celebrate his contributions to the Law School, and to the Clinical Programs in “Bob Smith was the dean when I was hired 20 years ago, and I particular, nearly $50,000 has been raised to establish the Robert H. learned so much from his leadership during his eight years as dean. Smith Outstanding Clinic Student Award. Among other accomplishments, he transformed our experiential The award was created with an anonymous gift of $25,000 and programs, especially our clinical and legal writing programs, and has grown with additional support from several Dean’s Cabinet helped to make them the national leaders that they are today,” said members who wanted to honor their relationship with Smith and Dean Andrew Perlman. acknowledge his contributions to the Law School. The first award will be given in the spring of 2021 to a student who Smith was a clinical professor before coming to Suffolk Law, and has engaged in outstanding work in a clinic and the corresponding emphasized clinical education throughout his career. As dean, Smith seminar. Consideration will be given to a student’s commitment to helped reimagine the Law School’s clinics and was instrumental in public service, either in the form of public interest work or through developing them into cutting-edge experiential programs. pro bono contributions, as well as to the student’s commitment to “I am happy to support Dean Smith,” said Trustee and Dean’s mentoring future law students. Cabinet member Ernst Guerrier BS’91, JD’94, who contributed to the To make a contribution to the Robert H. Smith Outstanding Clinic creation of the award. “We [Suffolk Law] owe him a debt of gratitude.” Student Award, visit suffolk.edu/law/alumni/give.

Professor Dwight Golann may be retiring, Over his 40-plus years of teaching and I recruited Professor Andy Beckerman- but the positive impact he has had on the field service, Professor Stephen Hicks Rodau to join the Intellectual Property of alternative dispute resolution will endure. He is largely credited as the inspiring force Concentration as our patent specialist. has been a pathfinder in teaching his subject for global legal studies at Suffolk. He It was Andy’s idea that the High Tech remotely—in a field that is so often dependent on developed LLM degrees in Boston and Concentration be retitled the Intellectual in-person instruction. His scholarship has been abroad, an international internship Property Concentration. Andy has been informed by his own deep experience as both a program, as well as several exchange the driving force in making Suffolk Law mediator and a former chief of the Trial Division programs. Steve is a superb scholar, School the training grounds for more patent of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. a wonderful mentor to many, and an attorneys in Greater Boston than all of the Dwight has been a wonderful colleague, generous influential teacher who has taught other law schools in the area—combined. with his learning and assistance. Suffolk’s national thousands around the world. Asking him to join the faculty and be the co- ranking in dispute resolution draws heavily on his director of the IP Concentration was the best contribution. —Assistant Dean Bridgett C. Sandusky decision I made as an administrator.

—Professor Lisle Baker —Professor Michael Rustad

44 45 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 CLASS NOTES PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL MILESTONES FROM SUFFOLK ALUMNI

1955 1975 1984 MADELINE S. BAIO ARSEN TASHJIAN turned BRIAN M. HURLEY of Rackemann, recently founded Vaughan Baio 100 on December 1. He Sawyer & Brewster, was named to The Best & Partners in Philadelphia. worked various jobs during the Lawyers in America 2021. She litigates product liability, day and attended law school premises liability, motor vehicle, in the evening and spent his and employment-related matters, representing clients 1978 entire legal career working at in the product manufacturing, retailing, transportation, Hanscom Air Force Base as a pharmacy, grocery, and restaurant industries. was named as patent attorney for the federal DIANE C. TILLOTSON one of the 2019 “Lawyers of the Year” by government, a job that he Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. She was selected 1986 found on the bulletin board for her work on McLean Hospital v. Town at the Law School. During of Lincoln, in which the Supreme Judicial of Rackemann, Sawyer & World War II, he worked at ELLEN M. HARRINGTON, Court ruled in favor of her client, McLean Brewster, was named to The Best Lawyers in America 2021. the Watertown Arsenal, testing Hospital, clarifying the education use metals for heavy artillery. exemption under the Dover Amendment. He grew up in Everett and 1988 currently resides in Chestnut Hill. Married for 43 years, he 1979 DENISE I. MURPHY was elected to serve as president has three children and two of the Massachusetts Bar Association and as co-chair grandchildren. KEVIN F. BERRY joined Vaughan Baio of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee & Partners in Philadelphia as a partner. He on Lawyer Well-Being. She is co-chair of Rubin and 1974 is a commercial litigator who has tried more Rudman’s Labor and Employment Practice group. than 200 civil jury trials to verdict. Hermes Netburn shareholder ANTHONY J. THE HON. DAVID WILLIAM B. FLYNN is building a new SBARRA, JR. was elected a national director for the G. SACKS has retired international financial services platform that Defense Research Institute. after nearly 34 years as a brings investors to privately owned mid- probate and family court market investment opportunities in Europe judge in Springfield, MA. 1989 and North America. He is former chair of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s JOHN C. LA LIBERTE at Sherin and Lodgen was Standing Committee on 1983 named to The Best Lawyers in America 2021. Dispute Resolution and remains a member and vice Boston Law 1990 chair. As a judge, he worked Collaborative with Suffolk interns from LLC has the FYSI Program from the added veteran PATRICIA L. a partner program’s initial year. After employment DAVIDSON, in the Probate, Trust, retirement, he was elected as lawyer and and Fiduciary Litigation a Joe Biden delegate from the mediator JODY group and the Business First Congressional District. L. NEWMAN and General Litigation David and his wife, Deborah to its practice. group at Mirick O’Connell, Leopold, senior manager She has more has been selected to the for developmental disability than 35 years’ 2020 Massachusetts Super services at BHN, Inc., experience resolving workplace disputes and Lawyers. She was also continue to reside in Holyoke. investigating bias and sexual misconduct selected to the 2019 Massachusetts Super Lawyers. cases in workplaces and college campuses. Her practice focuses on helping families resolve issues involving wills, trusts, and real estate, as well as disputes

Photographs from left: Michael J. Clarke, Class Notes submitted Photographs from involving family and closely held businesses.

44 45 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 CLASS NOTES

ISABELLA KIM has joined Helsell Fetterman, a Seattle- based law firm serving businesses, organizations, and individuals. She will be leading its immigration practice area and will be working in the firm’s business transactions practice group.

Leber IP Law, the boutique IP firm founded by CELIA H. LEBER, has been in business for nine years and continues to grow despite the pandemic.

MAURICE E. MUIR has been elected as justice of the New York State Supreme Court, 11th Judicial District, for a 14-year term. He previously served on the Civil Court of the City of New York, where he presided over civil cases relating to no-fault insurance, breach of contract, and personal injury claims.

JANE LEARY 1995 LEVESQUE recently 1994 celebrated 28 years as SOL J. COHEN has joined Kerstein, Coren & Lichtenstein a full-time teacher of PAUL W. CAREY, a partner in as a partner. With more than two decades of practice, Cohen paralegal, business, the Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy, has tried over 40 cases to jury verdict and closed over 3,000 real criminal justice, and fire and Reorganization group at estate transactions. He notes, “I’ve had my own firm for more science at North Shore Mirick O’Connell, has been than 20 years and am looking forward to practicing law in a Community College. selected to the 2020 Massachusetts collegial environment with a team of experienced attorneys.” Super Lawyers. He was also named to the 2019 Massachusetts McCarter & English, LLP has elected MIA A. FRABOTTA to 1991 Super Lawyers. He concentrates its equity ranks. his practice on creditors’ rights, MARIA R. DURANT bankruptcy, and business ROBERT B. GIBBONS, BA’ 8 8 has been named reorganization matters. a partner in the Litigation the managing director of group at Mirick O’Connell, Hogan Lovell’s Boston CHRISTINE has been selected to the office. E. DEVINE, 2020 Massachusetts Super a partner and Lawyers. He was also named the chair of 1992 to the 2019 Massachusetts the Creditors‘ Super Lawyers. He Rights, concentrates his practice in JOHN D. COLUCCI Bankruptcy, commercial litigation, where of McLane Middleton and he handles a broad range of has been named to the Reorganization business matters involving 2020 Massachusetts group at Mirick commercial contracts, Super Lawyers. O’Connell, banking, construction, has been selected to the 2020 commercial landlord-tenant Massachusetts Super Lawyers. disputes, complex collections, and fiduciary fraud.

46 47 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 CLASS NOTES

Morgan, Brown & Joy attorney KEVIN J. WILLIS has been MATTHEW RAY JD/MBA GREGORY A. MANOUSOS promoted to counsel at Ropes & 2004 joins Murtha Cullina LLP’s was named to the Best Lawyers Gray. He is a probate and trust Business and Finance in America for Litigation—Labor counsel in the firm’s private client HEATHER M. GAMACHE Department. and Employment. group. He has advised clients has been named president- for nearly 25 years, creating elect of the Women’s Bar JENNIFER L. PARENT at sophisticated estate plans, settling Association for 2020–2021. McLane Middleton was named estates and trusts, and advising As a director in Rackemann, to the 2020 New England Super fiduciaries concerning their Sawyer & Brewster’s Lawyers for Business Litigation. responsibilities. He also advises Litigation group, Gamache beneficiaries of their rights in the has a broad focus on real trust and estate settlement process, estate and commercial 1996 and works with both fiduciaries litigation matters. and beneficiaries in connection has JASON S. DELMONICO with fiduciary litigation matters. joined global law firm Greenberg 2005 Traurig LLP as a shareholder in the corporate practice in the 2000 MICHELE BEAUCHINE firm’s Boston office. He has COLLINS was elected to a over 20 years of experience DAVID C. HARDY manages three-year term on the board representing major financial the Hardy Law Firm PA in of directors for the Society of JUDITH L. STONE- institutions and other commercial Tampa, FL. Last fall, his article Financial Service Professionals. HULSLANDER has been lenders. “Simon a Slave v. State of She is an advanced sales elected partner at Lathrop Florida” was the cover feature director with MassMutual Gage, where she focuses her of the Florida Bar Journal. He and Financial Group in Boston, TERRI L. PASTORI, practice on patent preparation, managing partner of Pastori | his wife, Carolyn, are the proud president of FSP’s Boston prosecution, and client Krans, is delighted to announce parents of an 8-year-old girl and chapter, and an active member counseling in all areas of Pastori | Krans’ inclusion in a 6-year-old boy. of the Boston Bar Association, biotechnology. She holds a Business NH Magazine’s 2020 list where she participates in the PhD in molecular genetics of top women-led businesses for M. Ellen Carpenter Financial 2003 and microbiology and, prior the second year in a row, one of Literacy Program. She resides to obtaining her law degree, only three New Hampshire law with her husband, Patrick, and worked as a technical specialist firms recognized. JILL M. RYNKOWSKI daughter in Nahant, MA. DOYLE has launched Bennett and patent agent. Doyle LLP in Washington, DC, DAVID L. FINE, a partner specializing in estate and trust and chair of the Construction administration, family law, and Law group at Mirick litigation. O’Connell, has been selected to the 2020 Massachusetts Super ELIZABETH LEVINE, Lawyers. He was also named a director at Goulston & to the 2019 Massachusetts Storrs, has been named an Super Lawyers. Fine represents “Employment Law Trailblazer” and counsels clients in the Shareholder DAMON M. by The National Law Journal construction industry, including SELIGSON has joined Sheehan for her visionary work commercial, institutional, Phinney’s Business Litigation helping companies across the and residential owners and group, where his practice focuses country assess and reform developers, general contractors, on commercial litigation and real their corporate culture. This construction managers, estate matters. He also focuses is Levine’s second trailblazer specialty subcontractors, on assisting clients in medical award, after being named a suppliers, and manufacturers. malpractice and personal injury “New England Trailblazer” by matters. The American Lawyer in 2019.

46 47 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 CLASS NOTES

2006 JENNIFER L. JUNKIN has joined Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli’s Seattle office as an associate in the firm’s MICHELLE-KIM (LEE) COHEN national Intellectual Property Department. has been promoted to deputy general counsel at Dassault Systèmes, where JACLYN S. O’LEARY has been elected an individual she is responsible for employment law clients partner in the Boston office of Day Pitney LLP. and compliance matters. Her practice focuses in the areas of estate planning and estate and trust administration.

2007 HEIDI A. SEELY served as speaker at the Boston Bar Association’s webinar, “Trusts & Estates End of Year JACK S. GEARAN of global law Review 2020.” An associate in Rackemann, Sawyer & firm Greenberg Traurig LLP has Brewster’s trusts and estates practice, Seely represents been elected to the board of trustees families and individuals in estate planning, estate of City on a Hill Charter Public administration, tax planning, trust administration, and Schools. The nonprofit is dedicated other trusts and estate needs. She is co-chair of the BBA’s to graduating responsible, democratic Public Policy Committee and Practice Fundamentals citizens who are prepared for college Committee of the Trusts & Estates Section. and to advancing community, culture, and commerce. STEPHANIE S. MCGRAW has 2011 been named partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon. She focuses her practice on ANDREW A. KINGMAN was named to Massachusetts complex product liability, commercial, Lawyers Weekly’s “Up and Coming Lawyers.” He is a and business litigation. senior managing attorney in DLA Piper’s intellectual property and technology practice. The publication highlighted Kingman’s work as general counsel to the 2010 State Privacy and Security Coalition, whose members include 30 of the largest technology, media, telecom, RYAN P. AVERY of Mirageas & retail, and online security companies in the world, and Avery LLC was selected as a “Rising identified him as “a key player in the debate over state Star” by the 2019 Massachusetts privacy legislation.” 2008 Super Lawyers. ANDREW M. MACDONALD was elevated to MATTHEW R. FISHER, a partner ALLISON AHERN FILLO has partner at Fox Rothschild LLP. He advises businesses at Mirick O’Connell and chair of joined the Boston law firm of Davis on a diverse array of labor and employment law the firm’s Health Law group and Malm, advising businesses and issues, including union organizing campaigns and a member of the firm’s Business individuals seeking U.S. immigration National Labor Relations Board proceedings, group, has been selected to the 2020 and naturalization benefits. She collective bargaining, and labor arbitration, as well Massachusetts Super Lawyers. He was counsels clients on immigration as employment discrimination and wage-and-hour also named to the 2019 Massachusetts issues regarding employment and litigation. He is based in the firm’s Philadelphia office. Super Lawyers. Fisher helps guide compliance, as well as immigration clients through the regulatory maze concerns arising in corporate BRADFORD N. that challenges all participants in the transactions and obtaining all VEZINA has been healthcare industry. categories of non-immigrant visas elected as a director of and lawful permanent residence in McLane Middleton. the U.S. He focuses on estate 2009 plans for individuals ELIZABETH RAHN GALLUCCI and families across the DAVID I. BRODY of Sherin and has been named a partner at Ropes economic spectrum. Lodgen was named to The Best Lawyers & Gray. in America 2021.

48 49 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 CLASS NOTES

2012 IN MEMORIAM CHRISTOPHER J. ABBOTT was promoted to counsel at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where he is a member of Weil’s global antitrust and competition practice in the Washington, DC office. He represents REMEMBERING KENNEDY FAMILY clients in civil and criminal antitrust investigations and litigation, and in ADVISOR GERARD DOHERTY obtaining antitrust approval for mergers and acquisitions.

JAMIE G. LEBERER has created a new partnership, Leberer & The passing of alumnus and former Trustee Gerard “Gerry” Palladino PLLC, that will practice matrimonial and family law in the Doherty marks the end of an era in Massachusetts politics. Buffalo, NY region. Doherty, who graduated from Suffolk Law in 1960 while serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, was JACLYN L. MCNEELY has joined Boston labor and employment deeply embedded in the civic life of the Commonwealth and law firm Morgan, Brown & Joy as an associate. McNeely counsels worked on the historic presidential campaigns of all three and represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment Kennedy brothers. His 2017 memoir, They Were My Friends–Jack, law, including workplace discrimination, leave laws, wage and hour Bob and Ted: My Life In and Out of Politics, details those relationships. disputes, collective bargaining and grievance arbitration, unfair labor “Gerry Doherty was someone larger than life who actually practices, and related litigation. made those around him better,” said Robert J. Allison, a Suffolk University history professor. 2014 Doherty brought political savvy and legislative knowledge to his roles, but Allison said what made him truly indispensable was BRIAN M. CASACELI, an associate in the Labor & Employment group his character, integrity, and ability to bring people together. at Mirick O’Connell, was named one of the Worcester Business Journal’s “40 “You can find people who can crunch numbers and can look Under Forty” for 2020. at polling data, but understanding how to connect with people is the most important thing. It’s a character trait that he had MATTHEW R. O’CONNOR joined Pierce Atwood LLP as an and could use to great effect, and that’s one of the reasons the associate. His work involves commercial litigation, ERISA matters, and Kennedys and others relied on him,” said Allison. assisting an active receivership practice. He lives in Providence, RI, with Doherty served on the Suffolk University Board of Trustees his wife, Johanna, and their 1-year-old son, Theo. from 1996 to 2014. He received the Law School Alumni Association’s Edward Bray Legacy Award in 2018 and the On February 23, 2020, DARIUS Alumni Service Award in 2005. PAKROOH married Aris deOliveira on the 7th-floor “Gerry was not only a civic leader—he was a philanthropic balcony of Suffolk Law School. leader as well. For decades, he made a profound impact on the “Choosing [to be married lives and careers of countless Suffolk Law students,” said Dean at] Suffolk Law School was a Andrew Perlman. reminder of how far we’ve come Doherty was responsible for nearly one-half million dollars together. During my law school in scholarship support, including one of the school’s public library study marathons, Aris service scholarships. Many of the students benefiting from would routinely come visit to cheer his philanthropy are from working-class towns, including me on and bring healthy food,” Charlestown, where he was a lifelong resident. Darius reminisces. The newlyweds “We admire his lifetime of tenacity and his insistence that now spend their days operating individuals must make a difference in their communities,” Pakrooh Law in Boston. Perlman said. “When America’s leaders needed counsel, he stepped up to help. And when Suffolk Law School and its students 2017 needed him, he answered the call.” Doherty is survived by his wife, Judge Regina Quinlan MELISSA M. MARQUEZ BA’14 joins Knox Ricksen LLP, a civil Doherty, who received her Suffolk Law degree in 1973 and an litigation firm specializing in complex health care fraud cases, as an honorary Doctor of Laws in 2005. associate.

48 49 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 Suffolk Law Alumni Magazine | Winter 2021 NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY

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