Morton A. Brody Distinguished Judicial Service Award

The Goldfarb Center is now collecting nominations for the 2026 Morton A. Brody Distinguished Judicial Award for jurists who actively exhibit the spirit of Judge Brody’s character in the course of carrying out their duties, including those of an administrative nature. The Committee’s selection criteria will be based on your nominee exhibiting the following: 

• A commitment to exercising their judicial authority with a deep respect for the rule of law, the integrity of the process, and the cause of justice.

• A commitment to a judicial environment where all participants are shown dignity and respect. 

• A commitment to high quality judicial craftsmanship and fidelity to the law. 

• A commitment to mentoring and empowering the next generation of judicial officers as exhibited through service to the Bar, judicial law clerks and/or law students.

Please use this form to submit your nomination by Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5pm. If you experience any problems or issues with using this form, please contact Erica Buswell, Deputy Director for the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs at Colby College at [email protected].

• The Honorable Chief Judge Lance Walker, US District Court for the District of Maine
• The Honorable Joshua D. Dunlap, First Circuit Court of Appeals 
• The Honorable John C. Nivison, US District Court for the District of Maine 
• The Honorable Leigh Saufley, Dean, University of Maine School of Law   
• The Honorable Dan Wathen, Former Chief of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court 
• John Brody, Son of Judge Brody 
• Jennifer Lyons, Clerk, U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (former clerk to Judge Brody) 
• Alison Beyea, Esq., Executive Director, Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs, Colby College
• Richard Uchida, Esq., Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the College, Colby College 

The Morton A. Brody Award recognizes the extraordinary career and philanthropic work of community leader Morton A. Brody, a long-time resident of Waterville and dedicated civic leader. Judge Brody was born in Auburn, Maine, and graduated from Edward Little High School and Bates College, where he began to develop his legal acumen as an international debating champion. A 1958 graduate of University of Chicago Law School, he began his legal career in private practice in Washington, D.C. He returned to Maine in 1961 and was a trial lawyer in private practice at Levine, Brody and Levine in Waterville until 1980, when Governor Joseph Brennan appointed him as a Justice of the Maine Superior Court. Then Justice Brody served as Chief Justice of the Maine Superior Court from 1985 to 1990.  In 1991, Governor John R. McKernan appointed Morton Brody to be an Associate Justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.  After his elevation to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, President George H.W. Bush nominated Judge Brody on June 14, 1991 to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Maine.  Following his confirmation by the United States Senate on July 18, 1991, Judge Brody received his commission on July 25, 1991, serving with distinction until his untimely death on March 25, 2000.

Judge Brody chaired the National Committee on Jury standards, and was a member of the Committee on Judicial Responsibility. He served on the First Circuit Gender, Race and Ethnic Bias Task Force, was chairman of the Civil Justice Advisory Committee and Advisory Rule Subcommittee, and was a member of the Federal Bench/Bar Liaison Committee. He was an active member of the Judicial Council of the First Circuit Committee on Criminal Law and of the First Circuit Judicial Council. Judge Brody’s commitment to excellence and integrity commanded the loyalty and respect of his associates, and he developed many warm relationships with his law clerks and others throughout his career.

Actively engaged in his community, Judge Brody was city solicitor for Waterville for six years, was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1981, and was a member and past president of both the Waterville and Kennebec County Bar Associations. He was also a member of the Maine Bar Association and of Phi Delta International Legal Fraternity.  He was a former member and president of the Waterville Area Boys and Girls Club, former member of the Board of Trustees at Mid-Maine Medical Center, former member of the Board of Directors at the Bank of Maine, and a former corporator of Waterville Savings Bank.  He was a past president and member of the Board of Directors of Beth Israel Congregation and served on both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Overseers for Bates College. He was an adjunct professor at Colby College.

Judge Brody was married to Judith Levine Brody for 39 years. Together they have two sons, Attorney Ronald Brody, who lives in Scarsdale, NY and John Brody, residing in New York City, and a daughter, Attorney Elizabeth Brody Gluck, of Newton, Mass.  Most importantly of all to Judge Brody was his commitment to his family; the nearly 40 year love affair with his wife Judy, the close relationship with his three children and their wives/husband and the wonderful grandchildren.  He would be proud to tell you about his nine grandchildren; Alison, Colby College class of 2013, Lauren, Colby College class of 2016, Tyler, Halle, Matthew, Max, Michael, Cameron and Maya.