STONEHILL HONORS JUSTICE MCINTYRE

Stonehill’s Saint Thomas More Law Society honored Massachusetts Superior Court Associate Justice Frances McIntyre ’71 on Monday, April 1 for her nearly three decades of commitment to public service and the law. 

Katherine Cleary ’09, president of the Society, presented the citation to McIntyre.  "In 2004, you were the first woman to be appointed to the Massachusetts Superior Court bench under then Governor Mitt Romney," Cleary noted.

"It says much about your legacy as a lawyer that many members of the Governor's Council pledged enthusiastically to vote for you, and none opposed your nomination.

"Well-respected by your colleagues, you have been highly praised not only for your skill as a courtroom prosecutor, but for your deep sense of fairness," said Cleary. 

"Your career is one of diversity and range.  As a prosecutor, you concentrated on domestic violence and child abuse cases, and worked closely with the victims.  As a private attorney, you handled the defense in both civil and criminal cases before federal and state courts," added Cleary. 

Director of the Martin Institute Peter Ubertaccio served as moderator for the annual event. Ubertaccio is the advisor to the Saint Thomas More Law Society, an organization comprised of students interested in the law, legal and social issues, and future careers as lawyers.

The event began with a Red Mass at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Mary, and was followed by a reception at the Martin Institute.

McIntyre was also the guest speaker for a pre-law luncheon event held on Friday, March 14, when she spoke to students about her experience through law school and her career.

A resident of Boston, McIntyre was nominated for the Superior Court seat in 2004 by then-Governor Mitt Romney, and confirmed by the Governor’s Council on October 27 of that year.

Born in New Bedford, Mass., McIntyre graduated from Stonehill with a B.A. in Political Science. She also earned an M.A. in Education from the University of Rhode Island.

Following graduation from Suffolk University Law School, McIntyre was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1979. She spent 12 years as an assistant district attorney in Plymouth County and then five years in the office of the Norfolk County District Attorney.

In 1997, McIntyre became chief of Attorney General Scott Harshbarger’s Criminal Bureau. She worked briefly for Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley before going into private practice in 2000 with the Boston firm Ficksman & Conley.

McIntyre’s career is one of diversity and range. As a prosecutor, she concentrated on domestic violence and child abuse cases. As a private attorney, she handled the defense in both criminal and civil cases before federal and state courts.

The Saint Thomas More Law Society at Stonehill College is named for Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), an English lawyer, author, and statesman. In 1935, 400 years after his death, More was canonized in the Catholic Church by Pope Pius XI and later declared the patron saint of lawyers and statesmen.

Issued 04/02/08