Janet M. Wallace, J.D.
Teaching Lecturer, School of Business
Email: janet.wallace@plymouth.edu
Education
Juris Doctor: Award in Wills, Estates and Trust, New England School of Law
BA-Business Communication and Accounting, State University, of New York at Buffalo
AS-Business Administration and Accounting, Fisher Junior College
Biography
For more than 30 years, Janet Wallace has practiced law in the Boston area. An accomplished family law practitioner with expertise in probate law and estate planning, Attorney Wallace is a well-respected trial attorney in her field.
In addition to her experience in family law, Attorney Wallace is skilled in multiple areas of the law and trial practice. Early in her career, she specialized in the practice of criminal law and civil litigation, including insurance subrogation, contracts, municipal law, and torts.
Before commencing her legal career, Attorney Wallace worked in the banking industry in a variety of management roles, where she garnered a wealth of financial expertise that has furthered her estate planning competencies.
With a strong interest in contributing to the community, Attorney Wallace has always found time for pro bono work despite her busy schedule. She has extensively offered her expertise to organizations that provide support to protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Attorney Wallace has served on multiple nonprofit boards. She has served in the Attorney of the Day Program in Plymouth County, as well as numerous other organizations to assist those who need support through her church and other local service organizations.
Professional Affiliations
Attorney Wallace has served her professional community through her service on boards, councils, educational forums. She has created and developed seminars, led educational outreach programs for the legal community, and participated in mentoring programs for new lawyers. Her service to the legal community has included:
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. Sponsor Member
2009-2020 Elected to the Office of Moderator, Town of Kingston
1998 – Present Massachusetts Bar Association, Southeastern Massachusetts Bench Bar Committee
1996 – Present Pilgrim Advocates – Volunteer, Attorney of the Day Program
at Plymouth County Probate & Family Court
1996-Present Moderator PCBA: Probate Court Round Table, Plymouth County Bar Association.
2015 Qualified as an Expert in Plymouth County Superior Court to testify regarding family law matters.
1993 – 2002 Plymouth County Bar Association – Board of Directors, Various Committees
1997 – 2001 Plymouth County Bar Association – Education Committee Chair
1999 – 2000 Massachusetts Bar Association, Family Law Section Council
1996 Panelist MCLE: Critical Financial Planning in Divorce, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. MCLE 1996 96-10.11
Civic Affiliations
Attorney Wallace has served as town moderator, zoning board of appeals and various other committees in her hometown.
Awards
Archdiocese of Boston – Religious Education Award for 25 years of service to the Catholic community.
Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Services Award: for serving those in need – ten-time recipient.
Greater Plymouth Association for Retarded Citizens (GPARC).
Licensure
1987 Admitted to the practice of law – Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1988 Admitted to the practice of law – United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
1988 Admitted to the practice of law – United States District Court, District of Massachusetts
1994 Admitted to the practice of law – Supreme Court of the United States of America
Professional Experience
1992 – Present Sole practitioner with a primary concentration in Probate and Family Law, handling divorce, paternity, guardianship, conservatorship, and estates.
1998 – Present Appointed by Plymouth County Probate & Family Court as a Guardian Ad Litem in divorce and paternity matters as well as to review accountings in guardianships, conservatorships, and estates.
1999 – Present Appointed by Plymouth County Probate & Family Court as a Commissioner in Petition to Partition and Sale of Real Estate.
2002 – Present Appointed by Plymouth County Probate & Family Court as Discovery Master.
2010-Present Appointed by Plymouth County Probate & Family Court as Special Master to sell real estate in Divorce, Modifications and Contempt Actions.
1987 – 1992 Associate, Law Offices of Jon R. Ewart. Concentration in civil litigation, insurance subrogation claims, corporate law, criminal law, family law, and real estate.
1986-1987 SJC 3:03 Assistant District Attorney, Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office First Session Brockton District Court – arraignment session; District Court Trials; Juvenile Court arraignments and trials; and Appeals.
1985 Law Clerk, Quincy District Court – Research and prepare Memorandums of Law: Draft Decisions for the District Court First Justice.
1985 Intern at Charles Street Jail representing prisoners in bail appeals at Suffolk Superior Court.