2025-2026 Committees 

Meeting seen from above

Executive Committee

This committee oversees the work of the Commission overall, the work of the committees, and the annual report to the Supreme Judicial Court.

Generative Artificial Intelligence Task Force

Co-Chairs: Hon. Julie Bernard (ret.), David Colarusso, and Gordon Shaw.

The Generative Artificial Intelligence Task Force was formed in response to a request from Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd who has requested that the Commission study the potential ways to potentially harness GenAI tools to increase access to justice, while minimizing the disparities caused by its cost. The mission of this task force will be to explore the potential for generative AI tools to improve access to legal information, assistance, and services for underserved communities across the Commonwealth. At the same time, the Task Force will be charged with identifying and addressing the risks that the use of these tools may pose—particularly with regard to exacerbating racial, economic, and other disparities due to cost, uneven access, or inequitable implementation.

Consumer Debt Committee

Co-Chairs: Commissioner Colin Harnsgate (Attorney General’s Office) and Alexa Rosenbloom (Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School.)

This Consumer Debt Committee (“CDC”) engages in a range of systemic reform efforts concerning the practice of consumer debt law, including many of the reforms suggested in the Justice for All Strategic Action Plan, as well as continued focus on emerging issues and advice related to statewide Lawyer for the Day (“LFD”) programs. Over the past several years, the CDC has focused its efforts on adding LFD programs in small claims and other debt collection sessions in the Boston Municipal and District Courts, encouraging the Trial Court to publish data on consumer debt collection cases (and add a Masscourts code for such cases), and suggesting revisions to outdated and confusing court forms.

 

Family Law Committee

Co-Chairs: Commissioner Rachel Biscardi (Northeast Legal Aid) and Kate Barry (Greater Boston Legal Services.)

  • The goal of the Family Law Committee is to continually monitor access to justice in the Probate and Family Court to highlight areas of particular concern, as well as opportunities for improvement throughout the justice system. Projects over the past year included:
  • Providing feedback to the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court regarding ongoing issues involving the right to counsel in guardianship cases, language access, and consistency regarding impoundment and certain motions commonly filed in the probate and family courts.
  • Procuring data regarding the right to counsel in guardianship cases and disseminating to relevant stakeholders.
  • Meeting with the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to discuss the right to counsel in guardianship cases.
  • Advocacy work on the issue of Motions to Vacate and Modify G.L. 209A Abuse Prevention Orders, which involve balancing the due process right to file motions with the need to maintain victim safety and to be free from litigation harassment.
  • Ongoing follow up work regarding changes in DOR operations post-COVID.
  • Participation in the Commission’s Language Access subcommittee.
  • Continuing the Committee’s partnership with Northeastern University School of Law to co-teach a first-year experiential course in access to justice in the Probate and Family Court.

Housing Committee

Co-Chairs: Commissioner Danielle Johnson (City of Boston, Office of Housing Stability) and Laura Camara (Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts.)

This committee engages in a range of related systemic reform efforts concerning the substantive practice of housing law, with a particular focus on summary process (eviction). The committee strives to be responsive to access to justice concerns identified by court users and community-based organizations working to further housing justice. Through providing comment on proposed court rules and policies, informal advocacy with Court staff and the judiciary, and collaboration with members of the bar and housing service providers, the committee advocates for policies and practices which will create a more just and equitable housing system in Massachusetts.

Racial Equity and Justice Committee

Co-Chairs: Commissioner Hon. Julie Bernard (ret.) (Flaschner Judicial Institute) and Commissioner Virginia Benzan.

This committee focuses on issues regarding racial equity and justice both in connection with the Commission’s internal membership and processes as well as its external activities.

Revenue Enhancement Committee

Co-Chairs: Commissioner J.D. Smeallie (Holland & Knight, ret.) and Susan Nagl (South Coastal Counties Legal Serves, ret.)

This committee identifies ways to increase the funding of civil legal aid through innovative means, including investigating new sources of state, federal, foundation, and private philanthropy funding.

Technology and Data Advisory Committee

Co-Chairs: Commissioner Gordon Shaw (Community Legal Aid) and David Colarruso (Suffolk University Law School.)

With membership comprised of representatives from each of the Commission’s standing committees and working groups, as well as others involved in addressing access to justice concerns through the use of technology, the Committee’s purpose is to help acquaint members of the Commission’s standing committees as to ways to use technology to increase access to justice, to identify areas of common concern and to spur action to address access barriers through the use of technology.