Gov. Baker Nominates Frane & Hardiman as Juvenile Court Associate Justices

The following is a press release from the Governor’s office submitted to SOURCE media.

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BOSTON – Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker this week nominated Brian P. Frane and Maura J. Hardiman for appointment to positions as Associate Justices of the Juvenile Court. Attorneys Frane and Hardiman bring more than 30 years of combined legal experience to the Juvenile Court.

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“The Juvenile Court serves some of the most vulnerable members of the Commonwealth. The decades that Attorneys Frane and Hardiman have spent representing children and families have prepared both well to serve as Associate Justices of the Juvenile Court,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am pleased to submit these candidates to the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent, and, should they be confirmed, I look forward to seeing their combined experience strengthen the Juvenile Court’s mission of protecting our youth.”

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“Attorneys Frane and Hardiman have demonstrated a deep dedication to both public service and to the children and families of the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, I am confident that they will continue to demonstrate that commitment and service as Associate Justices of the Juvenile Court.”

The Juvenile Court Department is a statewide court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters including delinquencies, care and protections, youthful offender cases and children requiring assistance. The Juvenile Court’s mission is to protect children from abuse and neglect, to strengthen families, to rehabilitate juveniles and to protect the public from delinquent and criminal behavior.

The Juvenile Court has over 40 judges, including Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem, in over 40 locations.

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If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Attorney Frane will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Jay D. Blitzman and Attorney Hardiman will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Terry M. Craven.

Brian P. Frane began his legal career as a Law Clerk in the Juvenile Court Department of the Massachusetts Trial Court in 2000, before entering private practice in 2003 as a Staff Attorney for Children’s Legal Services, Inc.

Later that year, he opened his own solo practice as Brian P. Frane, Attorney at Law, specializing in child welfare law and juvenile delinquency. While operating his practice, Frane represented children and parents in care and protection proceedings, termination of parental rights cases, Child in Need of Services (CHINS) petitions, and guardianship petitions.

He also served as a guardian ad litem and a court-appointed investigator for a variety of juvenile matters.

In 2011, Frane joined the Committee for Public Counsel Services, where he has since led a team of attorneys, social workers, interns and administrators to provide legal representation to children and parents appearing before the Juvenile and Probate Family Courts.

From 2013 to 2019, Frane also taught a course in the Dedham Juvenile Court’s MPower Mothers Program, educating participants on the role of attorneys in the Juvenile Court.

He earned his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School and his Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern University.

After completing her legal education, Maura J. Hardiman began her career as an Associate Attorney in general practice for Riffner, Freeman & Scott in Schaumberg, Illinois, in 1993. In 1994, Hardiman joined the Office of the Cook County Public Defender in Chicago as a Staff Attorney, handling custody cases and delinquency matters in the Juvenile Court.

After more than four years in this role, Hardiman returned to Massachusetts in 1998 to open her own private practice in Walpole, as Maura J. Hardiman, Attorney at Law.

There, Hardiman represented children and parents before the Massachusetts Appeals Court in matters arising out of care and protection cases. She also provided legal representation in mental health proceedings and acted as a guardian ad litem before the Juvenile Court.

After nearly 15 years operating her own practice, Hardiman joined the Committee for Public Counsel Services in 2012 as a Staff Attorney, where she represents parents and youths in care and protection cases, as well as youths in delinquency matters.

She is an annual participant in the Pan Mass Challenge, I am Strong Walk and Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk to raise funds and awareness for cancer and mental health research.

Hardiman earned her Juris Doctorate from New England School of Law and her Bachelor’s Degree from Stonehill College.