The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts recently reinforced its commitment to improving legal access by appointing new co-chairs to the Access to Justice Commission. As reported Mass.gov, the Honorable Valerie Yarashus, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, will join Marijane Benner Browne, Director of Global Lateral Partner Recruiting at Ropes & Gray LLP, as the leaders of this pivotal entity.
Judge Yarashus is set to replace the Honorable Serge Georges, Jr., who has completed his term. In a transition that marks both continuity and renewal. Marijane Benner Browne, will continue her role, extending her tenure of steering the Commission alongside Justice Georges since 2021. "The Access to Justice Commission was established by the SJC in 2005 to provide leadership, vision, and coordination for the many organizations dedicated to improving access to justice for people who cannot afford an attorney for their essential civil legal needs," Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd commented in recognition of the appointments, as reported by mass.gov.
Justice Georges also highlighted the collaborative nature of the Commission, which brings together representatives from a spectrum of legal and community sectors. "I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to support that work as Commission co-chair with Marijane Benner Browne, and I am confident that she and Judge Yarashus will continue to guide the Commission with vision and skill in the future," Justice Georges told Mass.gov.
Kimberly Annesi, Assistant Clerk Magistrate of the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court, and Christopher Oldi, Executive Director of South Coastal Counties Legal Services, have been appointed, while Victoria Santoro, President-Elect of the Massachusetts Bar Association, and Mychii Snape, Deputy Chief of the Public Protection Bureau at the Office of the Attorney General, were reappointed, continuing their efforts towards advancing justice accessibility.
The track records of the newly appointed figures stand testament to their commitment. Judge Valerie Yarashus, before her judicial appointment, practiced as a trial lawyer for over 25 years and has long been immersed in initiatives aimed at fostering racial equity and justice. Benner Browne is noted for her work focused on the advancement of attorneys of color and has been a pivotal member of the Commission for over a decade.
