Massachusetts’ Judges Go from the Bench to the Stage for a Reading of Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’

The Boston Lawyers Division of the Federalist Society and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company present the 11th Annual Shakespeare and the Law Series, co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association and McCarter & English, LLP. Shakespeare's most controversial comedy, "The Merchant of Venice", will come alive again with an all-star legal cast. The event consists of a staged reading of "The Merchant of Venice", followed by a panel discussion with the judges on the issues of contract, equity, justice and judging addressed in the play. The reading and the panel discussion, led by Lawyers Division chair and McCarter & English partner Daniel J. Kelly and Shakespeare scholar Helen Whall, will be held at Boston's Cutler Majestic Theater, 219 Tremont St., on June 21 at 5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

In a break from past practice, this year's cast consists solely of judges from the state and federal courts of Massachusetts, including newly appointed Supreme Judicial Court Justice Barbara Lenk. It will pay special tribute to Judges Judith Cowin, John Cratsley, Wendie Gershengorn, Nancy Gertner, Margaret Hinkle and Stephen Neel, who have retired or will retire this year.

The play is directed by Steven Maler, artistic director of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, and produced by Daniel J. Kelly. The event started in 2000 as a way to engage the public in serious discourse on current affairs through the creative use of timeless Shakespearean plays.

The first hour features prominent judges performing an abridged version of a Shakespeare work. This is followed by a discussion of the legal and political issues addressed in the play and their application to today's headlines. The full ensemble of actors and panelists is below.

Actors:

Hon. Carol Ball, Massachusetts Superior Court
Hon. Judith Cowin, Retired, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Hon. John Cratsley, Massachusetts Superior Court
Hon. Linda Giles, Massachusetts Superior Court
Hon. Andrew Grainger, Massachusetts Appeals Court
Hon. Nathaniel Gorton, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Hon. Scott Kafker, Massachusetts Appeals Court
Hon. James McHugh, Massachusetts Appeals Court
Hon. Frances McIntyre, Massachusetts Superior Court
Hon. George A. O'Toole, Jr. U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Hon. Peter Rubin, Massachusetts Appeals Court
Hon. Gabrielle Wolohojian, Massachusetts Appeals Court
Hon. Rya Zobel, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Panel Discussion Moderators and Panelists

Hon. Judith Fabricant, Massachusetts Superior Court
Daniel J. Kelly, Partner, McCarter & English, and Lawyers Division Chair
Hon. Nancy Gertner, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Hon. Sydney Hanlon, Massachusetts Appeals Court
Hon. Barbara Lenk, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Hon. Leila Kern, Massachusetts Superior Court
Professor Helen Whall, Professor of English, College of the Holy Cross
Members of the public may gain free admittance to the event by responding to Dottie Moore at 617.449.6617 or dmoore@mccarter.com.

About The Federalist Society

The Federalist Society is an academic-oriented organization composed of law students, attorneys, professors and judges committed to creating awareness and discussion of timely and timeless issues affecting the law and society. The Society is dedicated to ensuring that traditional legal principles - limited constitutional government, the separation of powers, individual freedom and responsibility, and the rule of law --- remain part of the legal debate. www.fed-soc.org

About Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, best known for its annual free performances on Boston Common, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare in vital and contemporary productions to the people of Boston. CSC was founded in 1996 by Mr. Maler, who has directed all of its productions. In summer 2011, CSC will present "All's Well That Ends Well" from July 27 to August 14 on Boston Common. www.commshakes.org

About The Massachusetts Bar Association

Incorporated in 1911, the Massachusetts Bar Association is a nonprofit organization that serves the legal profession and the public by promoting the administration of justice, legal education, professional excellence and respect for the law. The MBA represents a diverse group of attorneys, judges and legal professionals across The Commonwealth. www.massbar.org

About McCarter & English

McCarter & English, LLP, established more than 160 years ago, represents Fortune 500 and mid-cap companies in their national, regional and local litigation and on important transactions. Its 400 attorneys are based in offices in Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Stamford and Wilmington. www.mccarter.com

 

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