BHCC’s Paralegal Club Welcomes Hon. Lisa Grant

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

On Thursday, March 27, the BHCC Paralegal Club hosted the Honorable Lisa Grant, First Justice of the Charlestown Division of the Boston Municipal Court. The event provided students, faculty, and staff with a unique opportunity to hear from a distinguished member of the Massachusetts judiciary, whose career has been marked by innovation and a dedication to justice.

Paralegal Club President Aaron Salcedo coordinated the event with Joshua Abel, Professor and Chair of the Criminal Justice & Public Safety Department, and Susan Atlas, Professor and Chair of the Paralegal and Legal Studies Department, along with other BHCC faculty, staff, and students.

During her talk, Judge Grant shared insights into her groundbreaking work, particularly her leadership in launching the court’s Multi-Track Session—the first and only one of its kind in Massachusetts. This innovative program is designed to support defendants who are at low risk of reoffending but have high needs related to substance use disorders. The Multi-Track Session aims to provide early intervention and meaningful support to prevent future criminal behavior by offering an alternative to the more structured recovery session.

Judge Grant’s efforts have provided much-needed resources to vulnerable individuals and demonstrated the positive impact of compassionate, forward-thinking judicial practices. Her work continues to serve as a model for court systems seeking to address the root causes of criminal behavior through a rehabilitative approach.