Search

Bar and court leaders talk funding with legislators in Springfield

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013
Article Picture
Photo Credit: Tricia Oliver
From left to right: SJC Associate Justice Francis X. Spina; BBA President James D. Smeallie; MBA President Robert L. Holloway Jr.; Orlando Ramos from Sen. James T. Welch’s office; Daniel Zwirko from State Rep. Brian M. Ash’s office; and Trial Court Administrator Harry Spence.

Leaders of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association and the Trial Court coordinated an informational meeting with Hampden County legislators at Springfield's Hall of Justice today, Feb. 28. On the heels of a successful, similar event with Essex County legislators in early January, this afternoon's gathering was an opportunity to depict the local impact experienced from court funding cuts.

Following introductory remarks by MBA President Robert L. Holloway Jr., BBA President James D. Smeallie and Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Francis X. Spina, Trial Court Administrator Harry Spence, Springfield-based clerks, judges and others spoke to the reality of understaffed departments.

Legislative staff in attendance included Daniel Zwirko from State Rep. Brian M. Ash's office and Orlando Ramos from Sen. James T. Welch's office.