Excellent Judging in the Courtroom: How to Manage Difficult Situations #1 (In-Person Program)

This full-day educational program for Massachusetts judges will focus on how to handle difficult and unexpected situations that commonly arise in the courtroom. The first of two days of programming, the March 11th session will cover best practices for addressing the following issues:

• Difficult Lawyers
• Special Issues involving Self-Represented Litigants (including in the Housing and Probate and Family Courts)
• Abusive or Obstreperous Litigants, including “Sovereign Citizens”
• Litigants with Mental Health or Substance Use Issues

The agenda will include hypothetical fact patterns and role play exercises that will invite back and forth between the faculty and the attendees. This curriculum will be invaluable for all judges, but particularly for newer judges.

A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Seats are limited, and registration is required. Reserve your spot today! Questions? Please feel free to contact us at: programs@flaschner.org.

N.B. The second session on jury issues, high profile cases, judicial wellness, etc. will take place on June 3, 2025. Please click here for more information.

Program Faculty:
In alphabetical order

Probate and Family Court Judge Jennifer M.D. Allen
District Court Judge Julie J. Bernard (ret.) (Program Co-Chair)
Housing Court Judge Sergio E. Carvajal
Probate and Family Court Judge Katherine A. Field
Land Court Judge Robert B. Foster
Superior Court Judge Catherine H. Ham
Juvenile Court Judge Thomasina Y. Johnson
District Court Judge Emily A. Karstetter
Housing Court Judge Alexander Mitchell-Munevar
Probate and Family Court Judge Richard A. Simons
Juvenile Court Judge John S. Spinale
Superior Court Judge Debra A. Squires-Lee (Program Co-Chair)
Superior Court Judge William F. Sullivan