Judge Maureen Walsh, the first justice of Holyoke District Court, get a laugh from her friend and colleague, Judge Philip A. Contant, as she tells a story about the first justice of Westfield District Court at a celebration in his courtroom yesterday of his 30th anniversary as a judge. Watching is Paul Dawley, chief justice of the district court department of the Massachusetts Trial Court.(Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
WESTFIELD – It might seem risky to play a trick on a sitting judge but if the trick is sponsored by a group of other judges it is probably fairly safe.
Indeed, Judge Philip A. Contant, the first justice of Westfield District put a broad grin on his face when he returned from a wild goose chase to the Holyoke court to find his courtroom packed with fellow judges, court staff, family members and dear friends who had gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his appointment as a district court judge.
With the collusion of Maureen Walsh, the first justice of Holyoke District Court, Contant had been told that he was needed in Holyoke and his colleagues, friends and family members gathered in his court in his absence without tipping him off to the impending party.
The master of ceremonies for the event was Chicopee businessman, Brian Q. Corridan, a Stonehill College classmate of Contant’s , who introduced about a dozen judges, sitting and retired, who gathered to honor their colleague, as well as friends and court staff.
Corridan did mention a couple of college pranks Contant may have been involved in but the judge had no comment.
He called his friend “stolid” and said “through it all, Philip put his friends and family first.”
Contant’s boss, Judge Paul Dawley, the chief justice of the district court department of the Massachusetts trial court, said that Contant is the longest serving first justice in the district court system and said “nobody is a greater role model and mentor in the district court.”
Contant said “I have extraordinary pride in the district court system” and said that one of the big reasons for the success of the Westfield court is the staff there.
Judge Peter Agnes of the Massachusetts appeals court, sets the timer on his camera before hurrying to get in the picture with Judge David G. Sacks of the probate court, Judge Philip A. Contant, first justice of Westfield District Court and Judge James Collins of the juvenile court after a celebration of Contant’s 30th anniversary as a judge yesterday. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
Contant pointed out that they deal with the same people he does but said that the defendants “are much better behaved when they come before me” than they are when the clerks try to help them with whatever brought them to court.
He also said that he may be responsible, in part for delays in the court saying “The biggest problem here is probably me because I spend so much time researching and writing opinions.”
He called the event “unbelievable” but said that it seemed like a retirement party.
“I feel like people want me to get out of here”, he said but went on to disappoint them when he said “I still love this job as much as I did the first day.”
“I do plan on staying around a while,” he said.
