The Flaschner Judicial Institute was established in 1978 to honor the legacy of the late Chief Justice Franklin N. Flaschner—a judge beloved by many and admired by all. Throughout his career, Chief Justice Flaschner was recognized as a progressive leader in court reform. In the 1970s, he spearheaded the successful effort to eliminate part-time judgeships and was among the earliest and most vocal advocates for the creation of the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Chief Justice Flaschner placed the highest priority on judicial education. “Apart from the judicial selection process, the most meaningful factor in improving professionalism is commitment to judicial education,” he said. He believed that judges who are well-versed in the law would earn the confidence not only of the legal community but also of the broader public. He also recognized that judges who preside with competence and courtesy would enhance the administration of justice and reduce the risk of complaints and criticism.
The Flaschner Judicial Institute supports both new and experienced judges in Massachusetts throughout their judicial careers by providing continuing education and professional development opportunities. Its mission is to advance the administration of justice by promoting the highest standards of judicial professionalism.
Each year, the Flaschner Judicial Institute collaborates with local, state, and national organizations to produce a balanced academic agenda with courses in the following key program areas:
• The Impact of Race and Implicit Bias in Society
• Cutting-Edge Issues in Science and Technology
• The Art of Judging
• Responding to Societal Changes
• Bench/Bar Programs
Judges work with attorneys, academics, medical professionals, authors, and others to plan programs, develop materials, and provide instruction to their colleagues on a broad range of topics relevant to judicial work. Often described as a “self-help judges’ organization,” the Flaschner Judicial Institute enjoys the enthusiastic support and active participation of the Massachusetts judiciary. Each year, approximately 80 to 90 percent of judges voluntarily take part in Flaschner’s programs and activities.
The Flaschner Judicial Institute has received numerous local and national honors, including the American Bar Association’s prestigious State Judicial Education Award, presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding educational organization serving a state judiciary.
The Flaschner Judicial Institute receives major funding from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.