Judges Can’t Raise Lawyers’ Pay in Mass., High Court Rules Amid Attorney Shortage

SJC punts on higher pay for public defenders

BOSTON — The state's highest court rejected a proposal to authorize judges to boost pay for private attorneys who represent indigent clients.

Mass. SJC declines to offer path out of defense attorney pay dispute

The state's top court refused to let judges raise pay for privately appointed lawyers, leaving the dispute to the legislature as advocates push for a long-term fix.

SJC stays out of bar advocate push for pay raise, defers to Legislature - The Boston Globe

The SJC ruling is the latest chapter in the dispute between the Legislature and bar advocates over compensation.

Supreme Judicial Court says it’s up to Legislature, not judiciary, to set pay for court-appointed lawyers

THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT said on Monday that it would not get involved in setting pay rates for private attorneys representing indigent clients – known as bar advocates –ruling that responsibility for their pay rests squarely with the Legislature, which is charged by the Massachusetts Constitution with directing all state spending. “We begin with the obvious,” Chief Justice Kimberly Budd wrote in the unanimous 25-page opinion: “Judicially orde…

SJC: Judges cannot increase bar advocate wages

Judges can not set bar advocate wages about levels set by the Legislature to solve the recent counsel shortage, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Monday.

Mass. high court stays out of bar advocate funding dispute

The SJC cites separation of powers, says it would be 'inappropriate' for judges to intervene in setting attorney pay rates.