Boston's legal arena just welcomed its new chief. Judge Michael D. Ricciuti has been appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court and will take the reins for a five-year term starting December 22. He's stepping in to fill some big shoes, but from what we hear, his track record says he just might be the man for the job. With a legal career that kicked off back in '87 and Harvard credentials to his name, Ricciuti is no stranger to the Massachusetts legal landscape.
Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke sang Ricciuti's praises in a big way when he made the announcement. "He has the leadership and management skills needed to succeed in this role," Locke stated on the press release, and he didn't skimp on the compliments, noting Ricciuti's "legal acumen, judicial temperament, and interpersonal skills." These big endorsements have set expectations high, as Ricciuti is set to pick up where Chief Justice Brieger left off, aiming to continue what's described as her "strong leadership."
The man's resume reads like a legal whiz-kid's dream. Since Governor Charlie Baker penciled him into the Superior Court back in 2017—Ricciuti's been busy. He's not only been overseeing the business litigation session but also handling the heavy Massachusetts asbestos litigation docket. And if sitting on various legal committees wasn't enough, he finds the time to mentor up-and-coming judges. Talk about multitasking.
Ricciuti himself seems pretty stoked about the gig. Giving a nod to Locke and his colleagues' support, he said, "I am honored by Chief Justice Locke’s confidence in me and by the support of my colleagues," according to the Massachusetts Government announcement. It's not just a new role for him; he's also bringing back Elaina M. Quinn as his right-hand woman, reinstating her as Deputy Court Administrator for the Superior Court.
The Superior Court Department, where Ricciuti will now be overseeing justice, isn't small potatoes. It covers 14 counties and boasts 82 justices on the bench. That's part of the Massachusetts Trial Court system, a behemoth that encompasses seven departments, nearly 400 judges, and courts all over the Bay State. With Ricciuti at the helm, it's time to wait and see if he'll sail these waters smoothly or face the legal squalls head-on.
