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Governor Baker Nominates Maureen E. Walsh as Associate Justice of the Appeals Court, and Lisa S. Lippiello and Andrew J. Abdella as Associate Justices of the District Court
BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker announced the nomination of the Honorable Maureen E. Walsh as Associate Justice of the Appeals Court, and Lisa S. Lippiello and Andrew J. Abdella as Associate Justices of the District Court. Judge Walsh currently serves as an Associate Justice of the Eastern Hampshire District Court, and Attorneys Lippiello and Abdella have nearly 30 years of combined legal experience.
“Throughout their careers, Judge Walsh and Attorneys Lippiello and Abdella have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving their communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Should they be confirmed, I am confident that their knowledge of the law and wisdom will serve the Commonwealth and their respective courts well.”
“I am pleased with the nominations of three well-respected and skilled individuals from Western and Central Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Their broad experience and dedication make them great candidates to serve the Commonwealth and those who appear in their courts.”
The Appeals Court is a court of general appellate jurisdiction, where justices review decisions that the trial judges from the several Departments of the Trial Court have already made in a wide variety of cases. The Appeals Court also has jurisdiction over appeals from final decisions of three State agencies: the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident Board and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The Appeals Court consists of a chief justice and twenty-four associate justices. If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Judge Walsh will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Edward J. McDonough, Jr.
For more information on the Appeals Court, please visit their homepage.
The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to 5 years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of city and town ordinances and bylaws. In civil matters, District Court judges conduct both jury and jury-waived trials, and make final determinations on any matter where the likelihood of recovery is no more than $50,000 (for cases commenced on or after January 1, 2020). The District Court also tries small claims involving up to $7,000 (initially tried to a magistrate, where the defense has a right of appeal either to a judge or a jury). If confirmed by the Governor's Council, Attorney Lippiello will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable David S. Ross, and Attorney Abdella will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Arthur Haley.
For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.
Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.
Maureen E. Walsh
The Honorable Maureen E. Walsh has served since 2008 as an Associate Justice of the Eastern Hampshire District Court. Since 2011, she has also served as Regional Administrative Judge for Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Counties, and since 2018 she has also served as Presiding Justice of the Northampton District Court. From 2011 until 2018, Judge Walsh served as Presiding Justice of the Holyoke District Court. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Walsh served as a member of the Massachusetts Parole Board from 1998 until 2008, and as Chairwoman from 2003 until 2008. Before joining the Parole Board, Judge Walsh began her legal career in 1991 as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Michael A. Ponsor in the US District Court in Springfield, until joining the Northwestern District Attorney's Office in 1994 as an Assistant District Attorney. Judge Walsh is an active member and past president of the Hampshire County Bar Association, and a member of the Criminal Justice Section Council for the Massachusetts Bar Association. She has also served as a Commissioner for the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, a member of the Governor's Anti-Crime Council, and a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. Judge Walsh earned her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, and her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Lisa S. Lippiello
Lisa S. Lippiello began her legal career in 2007 as a Public Defender for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Northampton, providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients charged with criminal offenses before the District Court. After more than 3 years in this role, Attorney Lippiello opened the Law Office of Lisa S. Lippiello in 2010, a solo general practice where she specialized in criminal defense with concentrations in sexual harassment, employment discrimination, LGBTQ matters and other civil litigation, and took on criminal defense cases as a member of the Bar Advocate Program. In 2013, Attorney Lippiello joined Burrows, Weiss, Mintz & Lippiello LLP as a Partner, providing legal representation in criminal defense and civil litigation matters, as well as in business and contract litigation cases. Since 2017, she has served as a Partner at Olin Lippiello LLP, a general practice handling sexual harassment, employment discrimination and civil litigation matters, including court appointed cases in Hampden and Hampshire Counties. Prior to her legal career, Attorney Lippiello served from 1987 until 2001 as a member of the New York City Police Department, where she earned the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant. Attorney Lippiello is an active member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, where she serves on the Board of Directors and as Chairperson of the Western Massachusetts Committee, as well as the Hampshire County Bar Association, where she served in 2020 as President. Attorney Lippiello earned her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, a Master's of Public Administration from Marist College and her Bachelor's Degree from Hunter College.
Andrew J. Abdella
Andrew J. Abdella began his legal career in 2006 as an Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Worcester, where he litigated cases before the District and Superior Courts. In 2011, he joined the Worcester County Sheriff's Office as General Counsel, where he serves as the sole legal advisor responsible for all day-to-day legal needs of the Sheriff's Office and litigates a wide variety of civil actions including civil rights cases, employee actions, medical malpractice cases and personal injury cases. Since 2017, Attorney Abdella has also served the Sheriff's Office as a Special Sheriff and the statutory Chief Administrative Officer, supervising 60 employees and 6 mid-level managers while overseeing the Legal, Grants, Maintenance, Employee Wellness, Inmate Programs and Services and After Incarceration Services departments. Attorney Abdella is also a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff's Association, where he helps organize an annual coat drive and food drive. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and his Bachelor's Degree from College of the Holy Cross.
“Throughout their careers, Judge Walsh and Attorneys Lippiello and Abdella have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving their communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Should they be confirmed, I am confident that their knowledge of the law and wisdom will serve the Commonwealth and their respective courts well.”
“I am pleased with the nominations of three well-respected and skilled individuals from Western and Central Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Their broad experience and dedication make them great candidates to serve the Commonwealth and those who appear in their courts.”
The Appeals Court is a court of general appellate jurisdiction, where justices review decisions that the trial judges from the several Departments of the Trial Court have already made in a wide variety of cases. The Appeals Court also has jurisdiction over appeals from final decisions of three State agencies: the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident Board and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The Appeals Court consists of a chief justice and twenty-four associate justices. If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Judge Walsh will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Edward J. McDonough, Jr.
For more information on the Appeals Court, please visit their homepage.
The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to 5 years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of city and town ordinances and bylaws. In civil matters, District Court judges conduct both jury and jury-waived trials, and make final determinations on any matter where the likelihood of recovery is no more than $50,000 (for cases commenced on or after January 1, 2020). The District Court also tries small claims involving up to $7,000 (initially tried to a magistrate, where the defense has a right of appeal either to a judge or a jury). If confirmed by the Governor's Council, Attorney Lippiello will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable David S. Ross, and Attorney Abdella will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Arthur Haley.
For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.
Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.
Maureen E. Walsh
The Honorable Maureen E. Walsh has served since 2008 as an Associate Justice of the Eastern Hampshire District Court. Since 2011, she has also served as Regional Administrative Judge for Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Counties, and since 2018 she has also served as Presiding Justice of the Northampton District Court. From 2011 until 2018, Judge Walsh served as Presiding Justice of the Holyoke District Court. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Walsh served as a member of the Massachusetts Parole Board from 1998 until 2008, and as Chairwoman from 2003 until 2008. Before joining the Parole Board, Judge Walsh began her legal career in 1991 as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Michael A. Ponsor in the US District Court in Springfield, until joining the Northwestern District Attorney's Office in 1994 as an Assistant District Attorney. Judge Walsh is an active member and past president of the Hampshire County Bar Association, and a member of the Criminal Justice Section Council for the Massachusetts Bar Association. She has also served as a Commissioner for the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, a member of the Governor's Anti-Crime Council, and a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. Judge Walsh earned her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, and her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Lisa S. Lippiello
Lisa S. Lippiello began her legal career in 2007 as a Public Defender for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Northampton, providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients charged with criminal offenses before the District Court. After more than 3 years in this role, Attorney Lippiello opened the Law Office of Lisa S. Lippiello in 2010, a solo general practice where she specialized in criminal defense with concentrations in sexual harassment, employment discrimination, LGBTQ matters and other civil litigation, and took on criminal defense cases as a member of the Bar Advocate Program. In 2013, Attorney Lippiello joined Burrows, Weiss, Mintz & Lippiello LLP as a Partner, providing legal representation in criminal defense and civil litigation matters, as well as in business and contract litigation cases. Since 2017, she has served as a Partner at Olin Lippiello LLP, a general practice handling sexual harassment, employment discrimination and civil litigation matters, including court appointed cases in Hampden and Hampshire Counties. Prior to her legal career, Attorney Lippiello served from 1987 until 2001 as a member of the New York City Police Department, where she earned the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant. Attorney Lippiello is an active member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, where she serves on the Board of Directors and as Chairperson of the Western Massachusetts Committee, as well as the Hampshire County Bar Association, where she served in 2020 as President. Attorney Lippiello earned her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, a Master's of Public Administration from Marist College and her Bachelor's Degree from Hunter College.
Andrew J. Abdella
Andrew J. Abdella began his legal career in 2006 as an Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Worcester, where he litigated cases before the District and Superior Courts. In 2011, he joined the Worcester County Sheriff's Office as General Counsel, where he serves as the sole legal advisor responsible for all day-to-day legal needs of the Sheriff's Office and litigates a wide variety of civil actions including civil rights cases, employee actions, medical malpractice cases and personal injury cases. Since 2017, Attorney Abdella has also served the Sheriff's Office as a Special Sheriff and the statutory Chief Administrative Officer, supervising 60 employees and 6 mid-level managers while overseeing the Legal, Grants, Maintenance, Employee Wellness, Inmate Programs and Services and After Incarceration Services departments. Attorney Abdella is also a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff's Association, where he helps organize an annual coat drive and food drive. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and his Bachelor's Degree from College of the Holy Cross.