John F. Kerry - Lawyer

John F. Kerry - Lawyer

Senator John F. Kerry as a lawyer, was recently referenced in this blog as not having sat for the state bar examination. This blogger cannot sustain now nor refute the charge due to a re-current inadequacy of Massachusetts bar records. A perusal of various biographical sources including Who's Who in America and the Congressional Directory state Kerry's admission to the bar in 1976, following graduation from Boston College Law School. Hence the matter of his admission is conceded; and the matter of a written examination - moot. He is credited in one biography - with being the Middlesex County District Attorney from 1977-1982; another - possibly the Senate listing; states that he was Assistant Middlesex County District Attorney from 1976 or '77 to 1979. He graduated Boston College Law School, in 1976. He additionally joined a partnership with a Mr/Ms. Sragow - "Kerry & Sragow" from 1979-1982. In 1982 - he was elected Lt. Governor with Governor Michael Dukakis for the State of Massachusetts. Made worse in recent years - the State of Massachusetts Bar as a registry is unreliable. Persons may be listed as licensed though entered in the registry of lawyers apart from the ordinary method of bar admission by court motion. Ths may include (though the rules do not appear for it the state legal code) via service in a state district attorney's office. Similarly, Senator Kennedy is also a state bar member since 1959 by biographical reference and state bar computer registry. Sources consulted: Who's Who 2002 ed; and Congressional Yearbook & Congressional Directory On another point - For clarification - this blogger, a lawyer, has no connection with Scott J. Connolly Esq.- a lawyer at Ropes & Gray in Boston & Washington. He may be reached at sconnolly@ropesgray.com.