Cheryl Jacques, the past President and Executive Director of the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. and a former Massachusetts senator, is of counsel to Brody, Hardoon, Perkins and Kesten, LLP. Honored for her legislative accomplishments on behalf of crime victims, women, children, consumers and the environment by more than twenty organizations during her eleven years as a senator, Ms. Jacques was featured in the June, 2003 edition of Boston Magazine as one of the 100 most influential women in Boston.

Ms. Jacques appears frequently as a legal commentator on such television programs and networks as Dateline NBC, Good Morning America, Fox News National, MSNBC, American Justice, Final Justice, Court TV, and Emily Rooney’s Greater Boston. She has tried hundreds of cases throughout the district and superior courts of Massachusetts. She has also argued before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court.

Practice Areas

Ms. Jacques’ legal practice focuses on civil recovery for crime victims. She also provides trainings for police and social service providers. As a legislator, Ms. Jacques chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Post Audit & Oversight Committee, the Senate Steering and Policy Senator, and she was a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Ms. Jacques was the driving force behind the passage of dozens of laws that help consumers, taxpayers, crime victims, and the environment. Ms. Jacques drafted or sponsored laws that:

Prior Experience

Prior to her election to the Massachusetts Senate, Ms. Jacques served the Commonwealth as an Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, where she handled civil litigation involving contracts, torts, eminent domain, and wage enforcement. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Senator Jacques was an Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County, where she tried cases in Superior and District Court and supervised the Lowell Jury of Six session.

Teaching and Publications

Ms. Jacques is an Adjunct Professor at Suffolk University Law School and George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.

Awards and Honors

Ms. Jacques has received the following awards and honors for her work fighting crime, protecting the rights of victims, saving taxpayer dollars, supporting homeowners, and protecting the environment:

• Massachusetts Municipal Association Legislator of the Year
• City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association President’s Award
• Charles River Watershed Association President's Award
• Massachusetts Psychological Association Legislator of the Year
• Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Knight of the Round Table Award
• Massachusetts Police Association Legislator of the Year
• Massachusetts Horticultural Society Elm Bank Partnership Award
• Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts Dr. Ken Edelin Award
• Massachusetts Victim/Witness Assistance Board Senator of the Year
• Massachusetts Association of Health Boards Legislator of the Year
• American Diabetes Association Volunteer Recognition Award
• Stop Handgun Violence Leadership Award
• Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging Legislative Achievement Award
• Massachusetts Battered Women's Legal Assistance Project Award
• Jewish Community Relations Council Legislator of the Year
• Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association Legislator of the Year
• Louis D. Brown Peace Institute “Thinking Out of the Box” Award
• Mount Ida College Leadership Award
• Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation Leadership Award
• Women’s Bar Association Special Recognition Award

Education

Ms. Jacques received her bachelor’s degree from Boston College School of Business Administration. She graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1987.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Ms. Jacques is a member of the bar in Massachusetts, Florida and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA, the Board of Trustees of the Katharine Gibbs School, the Board of Overseers of the Joslin Diabetes Center, and the Board of Trustees of Newbury College.