The Massachusetts Bar Association celebrates the decision of the Governor's Council today to confirm Governor Deval Patrick's nomination of Fernande R.V. Duffly to serve as an associate justice to the Supreme Judicial Court. The state has reached a historic milestone by appointing its first Asian-American to the state's highest court.
"The Massachusetts Bar Association is delighted to congratulate Justice Duffly on her appointment to the SJC. Her detailed experience as a probate and family court judge makes her well equipped to grapple with the complex issues facing many families today, including custody and support issues revolving around the changing nature of family structures," said MBA President Denise Squillante, who operates a mainly family law practice in Fall River.
Prior to her appointment, Justice Duffly was an associate justice with the appeals court for more than a decade. She also served as an associate justice with the Massachusetts Probate & Family Court for eight years. Born in Indonesia to a Chinese mother and Dutch father, Justice Duffly is committed to help increase the number of minority lawyers, law firm partners and judges. She has also worked hard to ensure minorities have adequate access to justice in the court system.