News and Noteworthy

The Hon. Kimberly S. Budd presented her fifth annual address on the state of the judiciary to the legal community today. The Massachusetts Bar Association's Bench-Bar event was held in the Seven Justice Courtroom of the John Adams Courthouse in Boston.

In her remarks, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Budd discussed the rule of law, and the role courts play in maintaining stability in society.

The Social Law Library has access to The Real Deal, a media outlet for real estate professionals and attorneys covering the latest news and trends in residential and commercial real estate transactions, development, lending and litigation. 

On Friday, November 21, the Trial Court will celebrate National Adoption Day, an annual event that raises awareness of the thousands of Massachusetts children in state foster care who are in need of adoptive families. This year's celebration will commemorate the 134 adoptions scheduled to take place in courthouses across the Commonwealth and will recognize the other adoptions that have been finalized this year.

Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi E. Brieger announced the promulgation of the 2025 Child Support Guidelines, effective December 1, 2025, based on a comprehensive review by the 2024-2025 Child Support Guidelines Task Force, which must review the Guidelines every four years.

At a ceremony in the John Adams Courthouse on Tuesday, October 28, Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Elizabeth N. Dewar presented awards to two lawyers, two law students, and a law firm selected by the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, in recognition of their exceptional dedication to providing volunteer services for persons who cannot afford an attorney.

Social Law Library Members save 15% off every book available on the American Bar Association Web Store.

The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) today issued an order revising SJC Rule 3:03, which governs practice by law students and recent law school graduates appearing before Massachusetts courts and administrative agencies.  The revised rule will take effect August 1, 2026, allowing law schools, law students, supervising attorneys, and affiliated agencies time to absorb the changes to the rule.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Elizabeth N. Dewar will present awards to two lawyers, two law students, and a law firm selected by the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, in recognition of their exceptional dedication to providing volunteer services for persons who cannot afford an attorney.

Members now have online access to PLI Course Handbooks through Social Law Library’s subscription to PLI PLUS, the Practising Law Institute’s award-winning database.