On October 7, 2025, forty judges representing five Trial Court departments from across the Commonwealth gathered for an educational program focused on enhancing judicial settlement conference practices.
Chaired by Retired Superior Court Judge Mark D. Mason, the half-day session provided practical insights, shared experiences, and effective strategies designed to help both new and experienced judges conduct more successful and productive settlement conferences. The distinguished panel also included:
Hon. Paula J. Clifford, District Court
Hon. Brian A. Davis (Ret.), Superior Court
Hon. David T. Donnelly (Ret.), Boston Municipal Court
Hon. Robert B. Foster, Land Court
Hon. David M. Hodge, Superior Court
Hon. James M. Murphy, District Court
Hon. Diane R. Rubin, Land Court
When asked what they found most valuable about the training, many judges highlighted the mock JSC demonstrations. Others emphasized “sharing experiences” and “understanding the value and process of judicial settlement conferences.”
