Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has put forward two nominations for the Massachusetts Appeals Court: Judge Gloria Tan and Attorney Chauncey Wood. The decisions, pending confirmation by the Governor's Council, could infuse new legal expertise into the state’s intermediate appellate court. The nominees are anticipated to fill roles that are crucial in reviewing trial court decisions across a range of cases.
"I'm proud to be nominating two more highly qualified attorneys to the Appeals Court today," said Governor Healey. On the other end, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll expressed eagerness to work with the council on these nominations, as per the statement released by Mass.gov. Each nominee brings a unique skill set derived from deep legal practice and specialized knowledge.
The Appeals Court plays a significant role within the Massachusetts judiciary system, as it handles cases ranging from the Appellate Tax Board to the Industrial Accident Board. The court comprises a Chief Justice and 24 Associate Justices, and these nominations arrive on the heels of previous appointments—including Associate Justice Amy L. Blake as Chief Justice and Associate Justice Robert E. Toone.
Judge Gloria Tan's experience spans from First Justice of the Massachusetts Juvenile Court in Middlesex County to membership on multiple judicial advisory committees. According to her biography, her career began advocating for public counsel services and later involved a tenure as Deputy Director at Harvard Law School’s Criminal Justice Institute. Chauncey Wood, on the other hand, has spent three decades defending serious criminal cases, as well as advising on Title IX matters. For further information about their professional journeys and contributions, the Appeals Court has more details available on its homepage.
The Governor's Council will next evaluate whether these candidates will join the judicial bench. If confirmed, Judge Tan and Chauncey Wood will be tasked with rendering decisions that may shape Massachusetts law for years to come. Their qualifications and past work reflect a strong potential for servicing the needs and upholding the legal standards of the Commonwealth.
