January 29, 2024

Healey nominates local lawyer Bernadette Stark for Probate and Family Court judgeship

BY James PentlandDaily Hampshire Gazette

NORTHAMPTON — A local lawyer who is now director of the Student Legal Services Office at UMass has been nominated to be a judge in Probate and Family Court.

Gov. Maura Healey nominated Bernadette Stark and two other attorneys for the position earlier this month, and the Governor’s Council will hold confirmation hearings in January.

Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs, of the 8th District, has scheduled a local hearing in Northampton on Jan. 8 and a formal public hearing at the State House on Jan. 10.

Jacobs said Thursday the local hearing is optional, but she sees it as an opportunity for people to engage with the process of how judges are selected in Massachusetts.

“It’s a good exercise in transparency,” she said.

As the council member representing the district in which Stark lives, Jacobs said she will chair both hearings. Other members of the council are only expected to attend the formal hearing.

The full council will usually hold a vote a week or so later, she said, in an assembly chaired by the lieutenant governor.

High praise

Jacobs said her email inbox has been filling up with letters of support for Stark since she was nominated Dec. 8.

“She’s just a breath of fresh air,” Jacobs said. “I’m really happy with Governor Healey’s nominees in terms of bringing diversity and the right temperament to the job.”

Attempts to contact Stark were unsuccessful Friday.

According to information on both the governor’s and UMass websites, Stark has substantial experience in Probate and Family Court as well a broad background in civil litigation.

She has represented private clients in financial matters, first at Goulston & Storrs as a corporate associate and later in private practice as a founding partner of Dinsmore Stark, Attorneys At Law, where she practiced primarily in the areas of domestic relations and immigration law.

She also represented indigent clients over many years as part of Western Massachusetts Legal Services, now known as Community Legal Aid.

Stark worked as a senior staff attorney at UMass’ Student Legal Services Office from 2008 through 2010 before returning as director in 2019.

Stark was born to a mother who immigrated from Puerto Rico and grew up in a multigenerational home New York City. She was often called on to translate for her grandmother, who did not speak English, in interactions with government agencies and service providers.

Motivated by her early experience, she has devoted much of her career and many pro bono hours to helping families who find themselves lost in a court system they don’t understand at a time of personal or family crisis.

Stark received her bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University and her law degree from Cornell Law School. She volunteers as the commissioner of the Mary Vazquez Women’s Softball League in Northampton.

Jacobs said the current state budget included money for eight additional Probate and Family Court justices because of the heavy workload in those courts, so at least five more nominees are expected.

Cases in Probate and Family Court are often emotionally fraught, and the judges stay with a family’s case from start to finish, she said.

“It’s a special kind of person who can sit in probate and family court,” Jacobs said.

While Stark lives locally, it’s up to the courts to decide where she will work, if confirmed.

Hearings

The local hearing on Stark’s nomination will take place on Monday, Jan. 8, at the Old Superior Courthouse, 99 Main St., Northampton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the hearing will run from 6 to 7:30.

The hearing is for public comment with sign-in at the door. Written testimony can be shared with Jacobs at tara.j.jacobs@mass.gov. ADA access is available by request.

The formal public hearing will be on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 1:30 in the Governor’s Council Chambers at the State House in Boston.

Other probate judge nominees are Manisha Bhatt and Michelle A. Yee.

In a statement, Healey said all three “have shown a profound commitment to helping families and children over the course of their careers.

“Their work has come with the highest praise from colleagues across the state, and they each share an innate ability to navigate difficult cases with respect and consideration. We look forward to hearing from the Governor’s Council as they consider these nominations.”