PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
CONTACT:
Jennifer Donahue/Erika Gully-Santiago
Jennifer.Donahue@jud.state.ma.us
617-557-1114
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2020
Boston Municipal Court First Justice David Donnelly to Chair Trial Court Committee on Dispute Resolution
BOSTON, MA -- Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey today announced the appointment of Boston Municipal Court First Justice David T. Donnelly as chair of the Trial Court’s Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution, effective March 2, 2020.
The Committee advises the Chief Justice on the implementation of the Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution and the oversight of court-connected dispute resolution services throughout the Trial Court. Judge Donnelly succeeds Probate and Family Court Judge David G. Sacks who led the Committee since September 2016. Judge Sacks, who retired in January, will serve as Vice Chair.
“I am very pleased that Judge Donnelly has agreed to serve in this important role,” said Chief Justice Carey. “ADR is a critical service that enhances the delivery of justice and Judge Donnelly is highly committed to ADR in our system. I would also like to thank Judge Sacks for his outstanding service as a champion of funding for free dispute resolution services through the Trial Court.”
The Standing Committee has led the expansion of free mediation and conciliation services across court departments and obtained legislative funding for Permanency Mediation Services in the Juvenile Court and Probate Court Departments over the last several fiscal years. Committee members include judges, court staff, representatives of the Massachusetts and Boston Bar Associations, other attorneys, and providers of dispute resolution services.
“I am honored to lead the Standing Committee as we work to make dispute resolution services available to all litigants regardless of their ability to pay and to integrate dispute resolution options into the fabric of the Trial Court,” said Judge Donnelly.
Judge Donnelly serves as the First Justice of the Brighton Division of the Boston Municipal Court. He was appointed to the bench in 2002 and also serves on the Trial Court’s Public Outreach Committee.
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