The Flaschner Judicial Institute congratulates Judge Jeffrey Locke on his appointment by the Supreme Judicial Court to the position of Chief Justice of the Trial Court. Judge Locke’s twenty-one years of service as a trial judge serving on the Superior Court has prepared him well to address the challenges facing the Trial Court as judges and court staff continue to navigate around the disruptions and complications which have characterized the nearly two-year-old COVID-19 pandemic. Also, his prior experience as the Norfolk District Attorney and Commissioner of the Department of Social Services will prove to be invaluable in tackling the myriad of policy issues facing the Trial Court.
We are also pleased that Chief Justice Locke has attended and presented at numerous Flaschner programs over his career. He understands that judicial education must not only include developments in substantive law, procedural law, and ethics, but also must address the broader forces that shape the human condition, including in particular racism, and every form of bias and prejudice that operates to deny people the access to justice to which they are entitled.
We look forward to working with Chief Justice Locke as Flaschner continues to develop and deliver cutting-edge educational programs for Massachusetts judges.