Law Day - May 1, 2026

The Plymouth District Bar Association is pleased to announce that we are once

again sponsoring our annual Law Day celebration. This very special event, which

has been described by some as the “Gold Standard” of Law Day programs, will

take place on Friday May 1, 2026 at the Plymouth Trial Court, 52 Obery Street,

Plymouth. The proceedings will commence at 9:00 am with the Posting of the

Colors by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, followed by

our National Anthem sung by a local high school student. We will hear remarks

incorporating this year’s Law Day theme, “The Rule of Law and the American

Dream” by judges from the Trial Court departments currently holding court at the

Plymouth Trial Court. Our morning program will culminate with a mock trial

presented and judged by local high school students. Exhibits from various court

departments and local police departments will provide informative materials

illustrating the significance of Law Day.

Our afternoon Law Day session will consist of a 2-hour CLE focusing on the

subject of detentions of clients in criminal cases. This timely presentation will

cover bail hearings, bail revocations, dangerousness motions/hearings, probation

detention requests, section 35/12 petitions and any other proceedings that might

jeopardize a client’s liberty prior to trial. For experienced counsel, this can’t miss

seminar will be a refresher course; for new counsel, it will serve as a primer on how

to navigate high stress/high leverage situations. Save your seat!! Sign up early!!

Our Law Day will conclude with our Law Day banquet which will be presented at

the newly-renovated John Carver Inn on Summer Street, Plymouth. As usual we

will kick things off with our renowned social hour at 5:30(ish) followed by a

fantastic buffet at 7:00(ish) featuring New England clam chowder, Teriaki glazed

sirloin tips, Chicken Picatta and Garlicky Shrimp bowtie pasta. The PDBA/AOBA

will top everything off with coffee, tea and warm apple crisp for dessert.

Our very special keynote speaker for our Law Day banquet will be the Honorable

Katie Cook-Rayburn of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Judge Rayburn was just

recently appointed as Regional Administrative Judge for the Superior Court in

southeastern Massachusetts. Some of you may also recall that, prior to her

appointment to the bench, Judge Rayburn served as an Assistant District Attorney

and was noted for her prosecution of the Michelle Carter case. Judge Rayburn will

offer her insights on Law Day from her perspective on the Superior Court bench.

The PDBA Law Day morning program is open to all members of the bar as well as

the general public free of charge. Our afternoon CLE program is also offered free

of charge to members of the bar. The cost to attend our very special Law Day

banquet is a mere $70 per person and is open to all current (and future??) PDBA

members, as well as friends and guest. You should make your reservations early

for this premier event, and can do so by email at this address or to

marshalljohnsonesq@gmail.com. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can all call or

text the Resident Curmudgeon at 508-317-4002.