Henry Raphaelson

Henry Raphaelson is an American lawyer specializing in personal injury, domestic relations and guardianship matters. He earned both his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees at Worcester State College before attending New England School of Law – becoming one of the founding partners of Raphaelson & Levine law firm.

This collection includes correspondence, playscripts, screenplays and scenarios, short stories, photocopies, photostats and other materials which have been cataloged. They can be researched through Columbia University Libraries collections as well as ArchiveGRID.

Early Life and Education

As a judge, he became known as an unwavering advocate who championed court-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs that were years ahead of their time. He fought tirelessly on behalf of defendants while simultaneously helping lawyers.

He had promised himself that he wouldn’t let his judicial career slip into decorative retirement, and organized nightly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for defendants struggling with substance-abuse problems rather than jail.

Mintz Levin became an advocate for human rights, representing political asylum seekers and refugees like Henry who was tortured by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for speaking out against his regime. Mintz Levin attorneys represented Henry through the PAIR Project during his application for asylum and immigration status in 2014. They successfully represented him to obtain permanent resident status here; today he remains active member of his Worcester, MA community.

Professional Career

Henry Raphaelson, the self-described “idealist” whose resignation from Dudley District Court provoked widespread controversy, has never shied away from controversial assignments. After all, as a judge his duties involve serving his community. For this reason he maintains close ties with the Southern Worcester County Bar Association, district attorneys, towns served by his court – Charlton Dudley Oxford Sturbridge Southbridge Webster being among them.

His career highlights include an influential case which challenged how Suffolk County allocated court services money, and successfully representing Abimael Colon-Cruz against death-penalty charges. Furthermore, he pioneered court-based substance-abuse treatment. Furthermore, he gave presentations at law schools and hosted tours of his Mechanics Hall courtroom – in addition to writing an influential domestic violence article that caused controversy within Boston’s legal community.

Achievement and Honors

As soon as Judge Raphaelson accepted his new job at Dudley District Court, he made a promise: he would work towards making Dudley District Court an innovator in drug treatment for offenders. This pledge, and his resolve to keep it, thrust him into the public spotlight.

His flashy and unconventional sentencing, such as compelling two teenagers to read a book on American racism, grabbed headlines. Yet it was his insight into the inner workings of the court system which truly shocked legal community members.

Raphaelson formed strong ties with lawyers, prosecutors and towns that served his court, while advocating for improved funding to ensure an equal justice system. His success changed state law; even making its way up to the Supreme Judicial Court; an unparalleled honor for any district court judge.

Personal Life

Henry is an idealist who brings his commitment to helping accident victims into court proceedings and settlement discussions. This empathy contributes greatly to why Henry’s firm consistently achieves settlements far above industry norms.

Lubitsch had originally considered Fredric March or Rex Harrison for the role, but Zanuck found Raphaelson more appealing due to his silky voice and self-amused demeanor. Zanuck believed he could use him to transform Henry Van Cleve into a movie star.

Raphaelson quickly made headlines throughout Boston for his dedication in combatting drunk driving and drug abuse in Dudley District Court, organizing Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at night at court and mandating rehab programs for offenders with substance use issues.