Public Defenseless: 496 | Why the Lawyers Handling 80% of Massachusetts's Public Defender Cases Stopped Taking New Cases Part 2 w/Shira Diner

496 | Why the Lawyers Handling 80% of Massachusetts's Public Defender Cases Stopped Taking New Cases Part 2 w/Shira Diner

Jul 9, 2026

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Professor Shira Diner. Last time she was on the show, she explained why the bar advocates in Massachusetts stopped accepting new cases. This time, she joins to explain how the Legislature and Judiciary responded and what comes next for the state.

Guest:

Shira Diner, Professor of Law, Boston University

Resource:

Read the Case Here

https://statecourtreport.org/case-tracker/committee-public-counsel-services-v-middlesex-and-suffolk-county-district-courts

Updated Coverage

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2026-03-17/following-high-court-ruling-mass-bar-advocates-turn-to-lobbying-lawmakers

https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/05/defense-lawyers-sue-over-mass-law-they-say-stops-them-from-fighting-for-better-pay.html

https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/04/04/massachusetts-continues-to-address-bar-advocate-shortage-with-incentive-plan/

Contact Hunter Parnell:

Publicdefenseless@gmail.com

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