Three Women of Color to Join the Probate and Family Court Bench
Governor Charlie Healey announced today that he has nominated three women of color for judgeships in the Probate and Family Court, a move that will increase the diversity and representation of the court that handles sensitive matters such as divorce, child custody, and estate planning.
The nominees are Manisha Bhatt, Bernadette Stark, and Michelle Yee, all of whom have extensive experience and expertise in family law, civil litigation, and public service.
About the nominees:
- Manisha Bhatt is a senior attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services, where she has worked for over 20 years, representing low-income clients in domestic violence, immigration, and family law cases. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Boston College Law School and Suffolk University Law School, teaching courses on domestic violence and family law. Bhatt is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and Harvard University. She is also an active member of the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston and the Women’s Bar Association
- Bernadette Stark is a partner at Stark & Heiner LLP, a Northampton-based law firm that focuses on family law, civil rights, and appellate advocacy. She has represented clients in complex divorce, custody, and support cases, as well as civil rights cases involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She has also argued before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. Stark is a graduate of Western New England University School of Law and Smith College. She is also a founding member and co-chair of the Hampshire County Family Law Task Force.
- Michelle Yee is an assistant register of probate for Norfolk County, where she oversees the administration and operations of the Probate and Family Court. She has also served as a staff attorney for the court, assisting judges and magistrates with legal research, drafting decisions, and managing cases. She has also worked as a solo practitioner, handling family law, probate, and real estate matters. Yee is a graduate of New England School of Law and Boston University. She is also a board member of the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts and the Norfolk County Bar Association.
Governor Healey praised the nominees for their qualifications and backgrounds, saying that they will bring “a wealth of knowledge, skill, and compassion” to the Probate and Family Court. He also said that their nominations reflect his commitment to “ensuring that our courts reflect the diversity of the people they serve.”
The nominations are subject to confirmation by the Governor’s Council, a body of eight elected officials that reviews and approves judicial appointments. If confirmed, the nominees will fill vacancies created by the retirements of Judges Joan Armstrong, David Fuller, and George Phelan
