The honorable Gerald Alch, 85 of Brookline MA, renowned trial lawyer and First Justice of Dedham District Court, passed away in Boston on January 9, 2019 after a brave battle with kidney disease.
Gerry was born in Boston, and attended Boston Latin School. He graduated Harvard College and went on to Boston University School of Law, where he was president of the student bar association and editor of the Boston University Law Review. Throughout college and law school he worked as a stand-up comedian, developing a sense of timing and showmanship that he later considered invaluable in the courtroom.
After law school Gerry went into the U.S. Air Force, serving as a lieutenant and captain in the Judge Advocate General Department at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. There he gained experience as a defense attorney in court-martial proceedings.
Gerry served in law offices and held a private practice in Arizona before returning to Boston, where he became one of the nation’s leading criminal attorneys. From 1968-1974, he was the law partner of F. Lee Bailey (Bailey, Alch & Gillis), and had a private practice from 1974-1990. His 33-year career as a trial litigator included many high-profile federal cases. He was the defense attorney for James McCord Jr. in the initial Watergate burglary trial in February 1973. He represented Captain Ernest L. Medina in general court martial proceedings in the “My Lai” Vietnam incident of 1971.
In 1990, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Dedham District Court Department of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by Governor Michael Dukakis. In 1998, he was sworn in as First Justice of the Dedham District Court, appointed by Governor William Weld. Known for his quick wit, sense of humor and fairness, Judge Alch had a courteous temperament that was valued by the courtroom staff and the legal community alike. He was voted “Best District Court Judge” in the Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly poll of attorneys in 1999.
After retiring from the court, Judge Alch taught criminal law practice as an adjunct professor at New England School of Law and Suffolk University in Boston. His popular classes were top rated by students, and were as entertaining as they were instructive.
An avid movie buff, Gerry loved show business and music, and worshipped Frank Sinatra.
He is survived by his beloved children, son Darin, daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law David Novick, and son Eric and son-in-law Dean Young. He adored their family dog Princess, and sons' dogs Bridget, Tipper, and Molly.
Services will be private. Judge Alch was a charismatic, larger than life figure who will be long remembered for his deep love of the law and devotion to his family. He will live on in our memories and will remain in our hearts forever.