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Bar News - February 7, 2003 Justice Broderick Honored for Support of Legal Services By: Lisa Segal AT ITS ANNUAL Fellows Reception held in conjunction with the NHBA Midyear Meeting, the New Hampshire Bar Foundation recognized NH Supreme Court Associate Justice John T. Broderick, Jr. as an Honorary Fellow for his long-time support of the Foundation and of legal services for the poor. "Justice Broderick has been a consistent supporter of the Bar Foundation and its goals throughout his career, as an attorney and as a judge," said Bar Foundation Chair Emily Rice, announcing Broderick's selection as this year's Honorary Fellow. "He also represents a new generation to receive Honorary Fellow recognition, a generation that we know will sustain and advance the mission of the Bar Foundation to support equal access to justice and enhanced understanding of our legal system in the years to come." Justice Broderick, appointed to the Supreme Court bench in 1995, is currently a Fellow of the Bar Foundation and has served on its board. Actively interested in pro bono and legal services for the underprivileged, Broderick is one of the longest-serving directors of the Legal Services Corporation (having been appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993). The LSC provides federal funding to civil legal services organizations. In introducing Broderick at the Fellows Reception, Rice, a former law partner of Broderick's, shared a humorous anecdote about Broderick's passion for his profession: "In trying cases with him, he would lean over and say to you, 'Can you believe we get paid for this?'" she recalled. Rice also spoke of Broderick's "great dignity, intelligence and sense of humor," as well as his "skill as a trial lawyer and member of the bench." Broderick said that it was a "genuine honor" to be named this year's Bar Foundation Honorary Fellow and spoke of his "love of this institution, of the profession, of being a member of the Bar." He also addressed the importance of the mission of legal services for the poor. He praised the work of people like New Hampshire Legal Assistance Executive Director John Tobin, who are in the trenches fighting for equal access to justice for all. "I have been on the Legal Services Corporation board for nine years, and the work of that organization is so valuable, but what's more important are the people in the field - the John Tobins in the world - who day in and day out make a difference," Broderick said. To illustrate his point, Broderick spoke about a phone call he received on his direct line at the Supreme Court from a woman who said she was calling from a sidewalk in Nashua and needed help. She said she had been unfairly evicted from her apartment and needed a lawyer. Broderick explained to her that he is an appellate judge and couldn't help her, but she continued to tell him her situation and again asked for help. He encouraged her to go to Nashua District Court for assistance in finding a lawyer. "You've never been poor or homeless. I didn't expect you to understand," the woman responded. "And she was right," said Broderick. "Situations like this woman's are duplicated by the thousands...The work of the Bar Foundation is enormous; it makes a huge difference. I applaud our state's legal services organizations for their work and mission. I urge you to do all you can to help people like that woman on the sidewalk in Nashua." Broderick also thanked friends, family members and colleagues for their "example, leadership and help" throughout his career as a lawyer and Supreme Court justice. These included retired Supreme Court Justice William Batchelder, whom Broderick described as "the epitome of a judge" as well as "dignified, non-judgmental and a supporter through tough times" and his former law partner Steve Merrill, whom Broderick called "an extraordinary person and friend." "Without him I wouldn't be here in my professional career," he said. Broderick also thanked his wife, Patty for her "incredibly quiet and dignified support." "I have found myself speaking in front of groups about my law career and it is all possible because of Patty. There is not a stronger person than my wife," he said.
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