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Governor Baker Nominates Stephen B. Geary as Associate Justice of the Lowell District Court, and Susan H. McNeil as Associate Justice of the Lawrence District Court
BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Stephen B. Geary as Associate Justice of the Lowell District Court, and Susan H. McNeil as Associate Justice of the Lawrence District Court. Attorneys Geary and McNeil have a combined 50 years of legal experience.
"Attorneys Geary and McNeil offer the District Court decades of experience in the legal field, which have prepared them well to serve as Associate Justices," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I am pleased to submit these qualified candidates to the Governor's Council for their advice and consent."
"Over the course of their legal careers, Attorneys Geary and McNeil have both demonstrated a deep commitment to the pursuit of justice, public service and their communities," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed by the Governor's Council, I am confident that these experienced attorneys will serve the Commonwealth well as Associate Justices of the District Court."
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 Geary will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Barbara S. Pearson, and Attorney McNeil will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Martine Carroll.
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.
About Stephen B. Geary
Stephen B. Geary has spent the entirety of his legal career at Geary & Geary in Lowell, where he currently serves as a Partner. Since joining the firm in 1996, Attorney Geary has specialized in criminal, civil and domestic relation matters. His practice also includes areas such as breach of contract and landlord-tenant disputes, 209A restraining order hearings, small claims litigation, and land use and zoning appeals. Since 2019, he has also provided pro bono legal services to clients through Northeast Legal Aid. He previously provided pro bono legal services through Lynn Neighborhood Legal Services from 1999 to 2004, and Merrimack Valley Legal Services from 1997 until 2000. In addition to his legal work, Attorney Geary is an active member of his community, serving on the Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals from 2006 until 2010, and as a Coach and Treasurer of the Lowell Junior High Football League from 2002 until 2016. Attorney Geary earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School, and his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
About Susan H. McNeil
Susan H. McNeil began her legal career in 1993 as an Associate at Carrigan and Erickson in Boston, where she represented clients at preliminary immigration hearings and District Court pretrial and post-conviction motions. In 1994, she joined the Essex County District Attorney's Office in Salem as an Assistant District Attorney. There, her responsibilities included the administration and prosecution of all narcotics cases for the Lawrence District Court, as well as the prosecution of Youthful Offender cases as the Supervisor of the Lawrence Juvenile Division. She also served as a member of the Training Committee for new Assistant District Attorneys, and as a member of the Child Sexual Assault Team. In 1999, Attorney McNeil opened the Law Office of Attorney Susan H. McNeil, a general practice where she concentrates on Criminal Defense in both State and Federal courts. Since 2009, she has also volunteered for AbilityPLUS Adaptive Sports, which provides access to athletic and recreational opportunities for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Attorney McNeil earned her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School, and her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
"Attorneys Geary and McNeil offer the District Court decades of experience in the legal field, which have prepared them well to serve as Associate Justices," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I am pleased to submit these qualified candidates to the Governor's Council for their advice and consent."
"Over the course of their legal careers, Attorneys Geary and McNeil have both demonstrated a deep commitment to the pursuit of justice, public service and their communities," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed by the Governor's Council, I am confident that these experienced attorneys will serve the Commonwealth well as Associate Justices of the District Court."
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 Geary will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Barbara S. Pearson, and Attorney McNeil will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Martine Carroll.
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.
About Stephen B. Geary
Stephen B. Geary has spent the entirety of his legal career at Geary & Geary in Lowell, where he currently serves as a Partner. Since joining the firm in 1996, Attorney Geary has specialized in criminal, civil and domestic relation matters. His practice also includes areas such as breach of contract and landlord-tenant disputes, 209A restraining order hearings, small claims litigation, and land use and zoning appeals. Since 2019, he has also provided pro bono legal services to clients through Northeast Legal Aid. He previously provided pro bono legal services through Lynn Neighborhood Legal Services from 1999 to 2004, and Merrimack Valley Legal Services from 1997 until 2000. In addition to his legal work, Attorney Geary is an active member of his community, serving on the Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals from 2006 until 2010, and as a Coach and Treasurer of the Lowell Junior High Football League from 2002 until 2016. Attorney Geary earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School, and his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
About Susan H. McNeil
Susan H. McNeil began her legal career in 1993 as an Associate at Carrigan and Erickson in Boston, where she represented clients at preliminary immigration hearings and District Court pretrial and post-conviction motions. In 1994, she joined the Essex County District Attorney's Office in Salem as an Assistant District Attorney. There, her responsibilities included the administration and prosecution of all narcotics cases for the Lawrence District Court, as well as the prosecution of Youthful Offender cases as the Supervisor of the Lawrence Juvenile Division. She also served as a member of the Training Committee for new Assistant District Attorneys, and as a member of the Child Sexual Assault Team. In 1999, Attorney McNeil opened the Law Office of Attorney Susan H. McNeil, a general practice where she concentrates on Criminal Defense in both State and Federal courts. Since 2009, she has also volunteered for AbilityPLUS Adaptive Sports, which provides access to athletic and recreational opportunities for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Attorney McNeil earned her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School, and her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
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