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ADL WORK DOOMS MASS. JUDICIAL NOMINEE
The Times of Israel
March 6 2014
Joseph Berman's opponents cite his activism in organization that
fights discrimination
By JTA
BOSTON - A judicial nominee for a seat on the top state court in
Massachusetts was rejected in part because he had taken leadership
positions with the Anti-Defamation League.
Attorney Joseph Berman, who was nominated by Gov. Deval Patrick
for a judgeship on the Massachusetts Superior Court, lost his bid
on Wednesday in a tie vote of 4-4 by the Governor's Council, the
eight-member elected body that votes on judicial nominations. The
council has been missing its tie-breaking vote since June, when the
state's lieutenant governor resigned.
Berman's opponents cited several reasons for voting against him,
including large contributions to political campaigns and his leadership
roles in the regional and national ADL, a Jewish organization that
fights anti-Semitism and discrimination. Berman has contributed
approximately $110,000 during the past decade, largely to federal
campaigns, according to reports.
The criticism of the ADL link dates back to 2007, when the ADL's
national office declined to recognize the World War I genocide of
Armenians in the former Ottoman Empire. The ADL claim was first
brought against Berman by Councilor Marilyn Devaney last November.
Devaney lives in Watertown, a suburb of Boston with a large Armenian
population. Patrick delayed the November vote on Berman's nomination
when Devaney made it clear that she had the votes to reject it.
At the November hearing and since, Patrick noted that the regional
ADL and Berman have consistently recognized the Armenian genocide,
and that Berman led the efforts to have the national organization
change its position, which it did in 2008.
Patrick called the vote unfair and unprecedented, and said Berman was
"well qualified in learning, experience and temperament to sit on
the Superior Court."
Robert Trestan, director of the New England regional office of the ADL,
also expressed disappointment with the vote.
"I am disappointed that some members of the Governor's Council have
created a litmus test that excludes many of the best and brightest
lawyers from serving as judges," he told JTA. "Some councilors have
failed to acknowledge that ADL changed its position and now fully
recognizes the Armenian genocide without reservation."
Berman, a partner at the Boston firm Looney & Grossman, is a commercial
litigation lawyer with a long track record in civil rights advocacy.
"If it weren't for the issue of the ADL and political contributions,
he would have been confirmed," said Councilor Michael Albano, a Berman
supporter. "Clearly he is qualified."
http://www.timesofisrael.com/adl-work-dooms-mass-judicial-nominee/
From: A. Papazian
The Times of Israel
March 6 2014
Joseph Berman's opponents cite his activism in organization that
fights discrimination
By JTA
BOSTON - A judicial nominee for a seat on the top state court in
Massachusetts was rejected in part because he had taken leadership
positions with the Anti-Defamation League.
Attorney Joseph Berman, who was nominated by Gov. Deval Patrick
for a judgeship on the Massachusetts Superior Court, lost his bid
on Wednesday in a tie vote of 4-4 by the Governor's Council, the
eight-member elected body that votes on judicial nominations. The
council has been missing its tie-breaking vote since June, when the
state's lieutenant governor resigned.
Berman's opponents cited several reasons for voting against him,
including large contributions to political campaigns and his leadership
roles in the regional and national ADL, a Jewish organization that
fights anti-Semitism and discrimination. Berman has contributed
approximately $110,000 during the past decade, largely to federal
campaigns, according to reports.
The criticism of the ADL link dates back to 2007, when the ADL's
national office declined to recognize the World War I genocide of
Armenians in the former Ottoman Empire. The ADL claim was first
brought against Berman by Councilor Marilyn Devaney last November.
Devaney lives in Watertown, a suburb of Boston with a large Armenian
population. Patrick delayed the November vote on Berman's nomination
when Devaney made it clear that she had the votes to reject it.
At the November hearing and since, Patrick noted that the regional
ADL and Berman have consistently recognized the Armenian genocide,
and that Berman led the efforts to have the national organization
change its position, which it did in 2008.
Patrick called the vote unfair and unprecedented, and said Berman was
"well qualified in learning, experience and temperament to sit on
the Superior Court."
Robert Trestan, director of the New England regional office of the ADL,
also expressed disappointment with the vote.
"I am disappointed that some members of the Governor's Council have
created a litmus test that excludes many of the best and brightest
lawyers from serving as judges," he told JTA. "Some councilors have
failed to acknowledge that ADL changed its position and now fully
recognizes the Armenian genocide without reservation."
Berman, a partner at the Boston firm Looney & Grossman, is a commercial
litigation lawyer with a long track record in civil rights advocacy.
"If it weren't for the issue of the ADL and political contributions,
he would have been confirmed," said Councilor Michael Albano, a Berman
supporter. "Clearly he is qualified."
http://www.timesofisrael.com/adl-work-dooms-mass-judicial-nominee/
From: A. Papazian