I've never reviewed a courthouse before, so five stars?! I came here and attended the case on Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College back in 2018. So I can only speak about the experience here for the bench trial. Security is strict, and you must leave your cellphone with the front desk. After you tell them which courtroom you are going to, you then go through security. It's airport style, and make sure you have your photo ID with you. If I remember it correctly, the bench trial was on the fifth floor. The elevators were pretty fast. The bathrooms were clean. Actually during one of the days, the fire alarm went off so we had to exit through the side staircase. Outside the room, you get a beautiful waterfront view, it's very pretty! I heard such good things about the cafeteria and now I wish I had a chance to try it. That said, Seaport has transformed so much and there are endless options these days! Love it! read more

iawtc. I've been on two "field trips" as it were to this courthouse for law school so far this year and there's so much to talk about. The court rooms are bright, pretty, with stenciled wall motifs and domed ceilings and colorful carpeting and light wood. They're not intimidating at all and have an old-school town hall meets grandma's living room feeling. I think the idea is to create a sense of community, the idea of a place where the people's voices are heard. Hard to articulate it better than that. It's literally an architectural embodiment of all the floofy ideals they keep telling us in law school that nobody actually listens to. It fits, of course, that all the judges I've met so far (and that's considerable since one of our field trips was a Q&A panel sponsored by the First Circuit in which a bunch of the circuit's top judges talked to us) are magnanimous, paternal and...sweethearts. I can't believe it. Not intimidating at all. It was very much, "You're welcome to come by and watch a trial in my courtroom any time!" Of course, they're all also scary brilliant and classy and composed and articulate like whoa. My second field trip was a sentencing and I think I witnessed the first experience of my life where I've literally seen someone "be merciful." It was even heartwarming. My friend and I had to hold back tears at the end and, keep in mind, we're LAW STUDENTS. LAW STUDENTS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO HAVE SOULS. Then again, the federal courts are supposed to be the "ivory tower" of the American justice system. But, all in all, my experiences at Moakley have been nothing if not refreshing. When I walk in there I really do feel like this is a house of justice. And Brandeis p0wns. Even the US Marshals manning the metal detectors are adorable. I hope if I'm ever indicted in federal court I get to be a defendant at Moakley! Also, subsidized Sebastian's cafeteria is delicious and this building may very well have the best chunk of waterfront real estate in the entire Boston metropolitan area. read more

John Joseph Moakley Courthouse - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

What can I say about a courthouse? The best time you'll have there is drinking at Boston Brewfest! Attended this beer tasting for the first time , and was surprised to find much more than just beer: hey variety of liquor and live jazz. The deal: get there early... the lines get long after the first half an hour. But, they move very quickly while you're drinking. ( or do you just lose all sense of time?) read more

fries are unsalted and nasty! Nice judges but yucky fries

If you are called to fulfill your civic duties, this isn't a bad place to do it... The courthouse sits on the Boston waterfront along the Harborwalk, allowing you to grab a seat and enjoy some breakfast and fresh air prior to the start of your day as juror #_... Everyone I encountered was very friendly: the US Marshals at the front door... the one who keeps my cell phone safe... the Judges... the Clerks... While there's no water view from the courtrooms, they are beautiful in their own right. Stately, yet warm with lots of wood and stenciled domes in red and cream hues. Call me again Lady Justice*, I'm here to serve! * offer only applies to Federal Jury Service @ the Moakley Courthouse read more

Had jury duty here a few months back. Can't recommend it enough! Great clerks and bailiffs make for a fantastic experience. Judge Saylor knows how to lay down the law! A++++++ would deliberate again! read more

attended a party during a convention. food and drinks were great. Service was professional. security was alittle tight, but realized it was a court house and understood. read more

Herein lies a secret: Great and cheap (subsidized by your taxpayer money!) cafeteria, mainly the salad bar is my game. In the Seaport, cheap lunch is barely existing.. except HERE. You'll have to go through security. Leave your phone in your office, or you'll have to check it with security. read more

I'll keep this review short and sweet. I went to the Moakley Court House for a company event on their lawn. It is a gorgeous venue, the catering staff was excellent, and the views of the city are amazing. Plan your next corporate event here! I'm sure if you are here for legal trouble your opinion of this place might be a little different though :) read more

I can't be as eloquent as Emily S. (I had to use the spell check for that word) this place is amazing. I've only been in the lobby, and that is enough to give you the overall strength of the building (and the system it represents). The place has giant vaulted ceilings, and it doesn't echo. 1/3 of the building is glass, but the a/c and heating system works. Who would've thought this was a government building?? The real reason I go to the court house is to eat at Sebastian's. On Wednesdays they make a mean buffalo chicken wrap for $5.95. The extra hot definitely has some kick to it! If your in the area and willing to walk through a metal detector, it's well worth the trip. read more

What's not to love about the Federal Courthouse? The views are amazing and the building is just as amazing inside! Seriously thinking Whitey didn't have it all that bad while he was on trial! Came here for the Local Craft Brewfest and had an amazing time with friends! All the beers were great although some better then others and I even did some introductions of vendors at the event! A little cross pollination never hurt anyone! They had some really good beer vendors and as mentioned on the invite for the event "some" food! You would think that an event like this would have more food vendors but it didn't! The best part was finally realizing that ciders really aren't all that bad! read more

Stellar place to host an event. Wine Riot was a blast and immaculately planned. I also learned that you cannot conduct business transactions on federal property. Or something like that. read more

I attended an outdoor event here last night and it couldn't have been more amazing. It's one of the best views of the city during the summer as you get to watch the sun set behind downtown's buildings while boats and water taxis zip around. The only downside is having to go through security to pee, but the interior will leave you in awe. I'm looking forward to attending more events here, and if you're looking for event space in the $5k range, you'd be hard pressed to do better. read more

Yeah, so when I grow up and become an incredibly handsome, intelligent and "winniest" prosecution lawyer in Boston, a la Dylan McDermott and not that crazy, loony Tom Cruise, I'm thinking this courthouse will be my home away from home, but until then, it's just a cool place to literally walk around. There are epitaphs all over the outside wall with historic quotes from JFK, Emerson, Thurgood Marshall, Louis Brandeis, Oliver Wendell Holmes and many more. Very cool and very powerful quotes..where are all the female voices? Other cool things to do is the Farmers Market on the Old Northern Avenue Bridge every Thurs.; the Daily Catch is open and there's outdoor dining on the water and it's a good alternative option to the always too loud Barking Crab; on the side facing the water, there is a huge open lawn that is almost as cool as Christopher Columbus Park (CCP) for whiffle ball games and tossing Frisbees; and there's a enclosed "secret garden" that's kinda cool and romantic; if you're into that lovey, dovey stuff. There are also outdoor tables with built-in umbrellas, which makes it a much cooler place to have picnics or grab some takeout and eat al fresco than CCP and you can literally dip your toes in the water and watch the boats and yachts go in and out of the harbor. When the booze cruises slowly go by you can rock to Bon Jovi, The Real McCoy, Ace of Base, Chicago, and Journey...The John Joseph Moakley US Courthouse: Shhh...it's our little secret! read more