Massachusetts Bar Association Past President Kathleen M.
O'Donnell has been appointed as a member of the Commission on
Judicial Conduct by Chief Justice of the Trial Court Paula M.
Carey. The appointment is effective Dec. 10, 2014, and her term
will expire on Dec. 9, 2020.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct, established in 1978,
investigates allegations of misconduct by state judges. Pursuant to
G.L. c. 211, §1, three judges are appointed by the chief justice of
the Supreme Judicial Court, three attorneys are appointed by the
chief justice of the Trial Court, and three lay persons are
appointed by the governor to six-year terms.
O'Donnell is a partner in the firm of Kazarosian, Costello &
O'Donnell, LLP, with offices in Lowell, Haverhill and Salem. For
many years she was associated with the Marcotte Law Firm in Lowell.
She is a highly skilled trial attorney with a varied practice which
includes an emphasis on personal injury and other civil
litigation.
In addition to serving as past president of the MBA, O'Donnell is
also past president of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
and the Greater Lowell Bar Association. She was the first woman
elected to the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Board of Trial
Advocates and was recently appointed to and served as a member of
the Supreme Judicial Court committee to examine mandatory fee
arbitration.