Boston's bench is gearing to quickly welcome four new faces following Governor Maura T. Healey's latest judicial picks. Legal eagles Leo Fama, Francis V. Kenneally, Courtney C. Linnehan and Marjorie P. Tynes are Healey's nominees for the Massachusetts District Court, as announced in a recent press release. Their futures now rest in the hands of the Governor's Council as they brace for the confirmation process.
Expressing her confidence in the foursome, Governor Healey stated, "I'm proud to nominate these four hard-working and passionate attorneys to the Court." Echoing her sentiment, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll emphasized their readiness to fully embrace their potential new roles, saying, "Their collective career experiences will serve them well on the District Court, and we look forward to hearing from the Governor's Council." Massachusetts' District Court juggles a diverse docket, handling matters ranging from criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, to mental health proceedings.
With over three decades of legal expertise, Leo Fama has been a veteran of courtrooms, specializing both in criminal and civil law, and is no stranger to offering guidance to local youths through basketball. Meanwhile, Francis V. Kenneally brings to the table his administrative prowess from the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, managing full court caseloads and conducting oral arguments for the past ten years. According to their respective biographies, Linnehan has a track record of prosecuting major criminal cases in the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, and Tynes supervises the management of substantial grant funds at the Office of Grants and Research, bringing their varied experiences to enrich the bench.
Each nominee carries an impressive legal portfolio into the arena. Fama, a Suffolk University alumnus, has operated his own practice for over two decades. Kenneally, also a solo practitioner previously, juggled the caseload of Massachusetts' apex court, holding a law degree from Catholic University Law School. Linnehan, shaped by her time at Suffolk University Law School, has honed her skills in prosecution within the District Attorney's offices. Tynes, with Brandeis and Suffolk University credentials, has oscillated between public service and private practice. These nominations mark a potential shift in the state's pursuit to consistently better serve the Massachusetts community through the rule of law.
