Hon. Timothy F. Sullivan appointed Chief Justice of the
Housing Court
Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey has announced the
appointment of Judge Timothy F. Sullivan as chief justice of the
Housing Court for a five-year term starting Oct. 1, in accordance
with G.L. c. 211B, §5. Sullivan has served on the Housing Court
since 2004, he succeeds Chief Justice Steven D. Pierce, who retired
on Sept. 30.
"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Sullivan to
lead the Housing Court," said Carey. "Judge Sullivan has earned a
reputation with his colleagues for being accessible, approachable
and receptive to addressing diverse concerns. His philosophy of
open communication, collaboration and team building will ensure his
ability to address the future challenges facing the department. He
is firmly committed to Housing Court expansion and will capably
continue the great work of Chief Justice Pierce."
Sullivan is currently the first justice of the Northeast
Division. He previously served as an associate justice in the
Worcester Division. As first justice, he has worked to streamline
case flow management and increase efficiency, introduced a training
and certification program for all Housing Court specialists and
expanded community outreach and communication with court users and
members of the Housing Court bar. He is a member of the Trial
Court's Standing Committee on Court Security, and served as a
member of the Standing Committee on Alternate Dispute Resolution
from 2004-2012.
"I am honored by Chief Justice Carey's appointment and I look
forward to working closely with her and her leadership team,"
Sullivan said. "The Housing Court enjoys a tradition of
collegiality and dedication to its mission. It is a privilege to be
called to lead such an extraordinary group of committed public
servants. I will strive to follow the standard of excellence set by
Chief Justice Pierce in his leadership of the Housing Court."
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Sullivan maintained a
general law practice in Newburyport, with a concentration on
landlord-tenant, real estate conveyancing, estate administration
and land use. He is a graduate of Merrimack College and New England
Law School. He resides with his family in Topsfield.
The Housing Court Department is comprised of five divisions with
10 authorized judicial positions across the commonwealth. The
Massachusetts Trial Court, which is implementing a strategic plan
titled "One Mission: Justice with Dignity and Speed," includes
seven court departments with 379 judges who deliver justice in 101
courthouses across the state.
Gov. Baker administers ceremonial oath of office to
Appeals Court chief Justice
On Monday, Oct. 5, Gov. Charlie Baker administered the
ceremonial Oath of Office to the Honorable Scott L. Kafker, the
sixth Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, before an
assembly of several hundred people in the Great Hall of the John
Adams Courthouse.
"I am honored that Chief Justice Kafker's appointment was the
first of my administration, and believe he is well-suited to uphold
the legacy and independence of the court," said Baker. "Under his
leadership, I am confident the Appeals Court will be an essential
partner in our work to ensure state government and the courts serve
all residents equally before the law."
Supreme Judicial Court Justice Robert J. Cordy delivered opening
remarks and served as Master of Ceremonies. Baker and Lt. Gov.
Karyn E. Polito delivered keynote remarks, after which Baker
administered the ceremonial Oath of Office.
"I believe that a chief justice must wake up every morning
committed to making a difference in the lives of the people of the
commonwealth," Kafker said during his remarks following his
swearing in. "The chief justice must be the court's conscience in
terms of constantly comparing its overall performance with its
ideals, as the chief is entrusted with the responsibility of being
the daily guardian of the court's administration of justice in the
public interest."
SJC hears oral arguments in special New Bedford
sitting
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D.
Gants and the six associate justices of the court heard oral
arguments in four cases at a special sitting in the Bristol County
Superior Court in New Bedford on Oct. 6. The special sitting
provided an opportunity for students, media and residents of the
local community to view the work of the highest court of the
commonwealth outside of the John Adams Courthouse in Boston, where
cases are normally heard.
As part of the special sitting, Bristol County Superior Court
Clerk Marc Santos acted as clerk to the justices for the day. A
group of ninth- and 10th-grade students from the City on a Hill
Charter School in New Bedford and a group of 10th-grade students
from the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School
attended the special sitting.
The justices heard oral arguments in the following cases:
- SJC-11906, Public Employee Retirement Administration
Commission v. Edward A. Bettencourt
- SJC-11857, Commonwealth v. Lawrence Moore
- SJC-11877, Commonwealth v. Peter Chamberlin
- SJC-11876, Commonwealth v. Kyle L. Johnson
The justices hear appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil
cases from September through May. Single justice sessions are held
each week throughout the year for certain motions pertaining to
cases on trial or on appeal, bail reviews, bar discipline
proceedings, petitions for admission to the bar and a variety of
other statutory proceedings. The associate justices sit as single
justices each month on a rotation schedule.
The justices issue written opinions generally within 130 days
following oral arguments. Court opinions are available online after
10 a.m. on the day the opinion is issued, and can be accessed on
the Office of the Reporter of Decisions new published opinions
page.
The full bench renders approximately 200 written decisions each
year; The single justices decide a total of approximately 600 cases
annually.