The justices of the Supreme Judicial Court recently appointed
the members of the SJC Standing Advisory Committee on
Professionalism. The committee is charged with overseeing the
implementation of new SJC Rule 3:16 on Practicing with
Professionalism, which requires a mandatory course on
professionalism for new lawyers admitted to the Massachusetts bar.
The rule is effective on Sept. 1, 2013.
MBA members who will serve on the Standing Advisory Committee on
Professionalism include:
- Jeffrey N. Catalano, Todd & Weld and a
past MBA vice president (2011-12);
- Rodney S. Dowell, executive director, Lawyers
Concerned for Lawyers and director, Mass. Law Office Management
Assistance Program;
- Michael A. Fredrickson, general counsel, Board
of Bar Overseers; and
- Ingrid C. Schroffner, assistant general
counsel, Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
The committee's duties and responsibilities include designating
approved course providers; making recommendations to the SJC
regarding the fees to be charged for the course and any
circumstances under which the fees may be waived; evaluating the
course providers; reporting to the SJC on at least an annual basis
on the implementation of the course and an assessment of whether
the program is accomplishing its intended goals and outcomes; and
overseeing the administration of all aspects of SJC Rule 3:16. The
committee plans to issue a Request for Responses in January to
continuing legal education providers, bar associations, law schools
and other potential course providers.