After graduating high school, I attended Regis College for a year before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph. I remained a member of that community until June of 1969. Teaching junior high in Arlington, I attended Suffolk Law School nights to earn my JD degree in 1973. I was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1973. Following law school, I worked in my father’s legal publishing company before venturing into private practice. As a solo practitioner, I handled a variety of cases including what became an ironic specialty – First Amendment law relating to adult bookstores in the Combat Zone. Other cases included both civil and criminal cases.
I was appointed to the Superior Court by Gov. William Weld in 1992 and had the privilege of serving on that court for 20 years. The Superior Court handles the most serious civil and criminal cases. It is a circuit court where justices travel to the various counties of the Commonwealth. It is a great court, “the great trial court of the Commonwealth.” I loved every minute in that position and am deeply grateful to have served with very dedicated justices and staff. Hopefully, I did justice for those served by our courts who came before me.
My Superior Court tenure gave me opportunities after retirement. I taught Legal Ethics at BC Law School and served on the Ethics Commission. Both ventures were professionally rewarding and introduced me to some extraordinary people – students as well as dedicated members and employees of the Because of her, I served as a volunteer and board member of Rosie’s Place. I have also maintained close ties to the Sisters of St Joseph, serving on the boards of Regis College and Aquinas College.
Honorary degrees were conferred on me both from Regis College and Suffolk University Law School.
On to the next phase of my life as Mrs. Gerard Doherty!!
