Two available positions on the Committee for Public Counsel Services
The justices of the Supreme Judicial Court invite interested individuals to apply for appointment to two available four-year terms on the Committee for Public Counsel Services, pursuant to G.L. c. 211D, § 1.
The committee is composed of 15 volunteer members who are charged with planning, overseeing and coordinating the delivery of criminal and certain noncriminal legal services by salaried public counsel, bar advocate and other assigned counsel programs, and private attorneys serving on a per-case basis to persons of limited means in matters in which there is a right to counsel. General Laws Chapter 268A, the Conflict of Interest Law, applies to all committee members, except as otherwise stated in G.L. c. 211D, § 1.
The justices seek to appoint at least one individual who has experience as a private bar advocate. All applicants should have a strong commitment to quality representation in indigent defense matters or have significant experience with issues related to indigent defense. The justices strongly encourage those with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Anna Rachel Dray-Siegel at anna.dray-siegel@jud.state.ma.us by Dec. 7. Questions about the application process or the position should be directed to Dray-Siegel.
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SJC appoints new reporter of decisions
The justices of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) this week announced that they have appointed Madchen (Maddie) S. Makara, Esq., as the new reporter of decisions for the SJC, effective Jan. 28, 2024. Makara will succeed Brian H. Redmond, Esq., who will retire as reporter of decisions in January.
The reporter of decisions provides editorial support for the justices of the SJC and the Appeals Court, publishes slip opinions daily in electronic format, and administers a contract for the publication of eBook advance sheets and permanent bound volumes of the official reports of the two courts. The reporter also directs the posting and maintenance of content on the reporter of decisions webpages on the court’s website, and on social media.
Makara joined the office of the reporter of decisions in February 2012, as a legal publishing specialist, and then was promoted in October 2012 to associate deputy reporter of decisions. Prior to joining the reporter's office, Makara practiced employment law at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP, and also edited treatises on federal and state wage and hour law for the American Bar Association and Bloomberg BNA Books. She also previously served for 16 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Massachusetts Air National Guard as a musician, performing for military and civilian communities throughout the eastern United States.
A native of Webster, Makara is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Suffolk University Law School. She is admitted to practice in state and federal court in Massachusetts and lives in Charlton.