Announcement of Appointment of Robert A. Mulligan as
Chief Justice for Administration and Management

June 10, 2003

          I am delighted, on behalf of the Justices, to announce the appointment of Robert A. Mulligan as the next Chief Justice for Administration and Management of the Trial Court, pursuant to G. L. 211B, §6. This appointment is effective on October 1, 2003, when Chief Justice Barbara A. Dortch-Okara completes her five-year term and resumes her judicial duties as a Justice of the Superior Court. I am particularly pleased to welcome Tina Mulligan, his wife, their son, Mark, -- who luckily appears to have a "field day" today-- former Chief Justice Wilkins, and the many others who were able on very short notice to join us for this happy, important event.

          The Justices are enormously pleased that Chief Justice Mulligan has agreed to assume the challenging position of Chief Justice for Administration and Management during this pivotal era of management reform in the judicial system of the Commonwealth. The Visiting Committee on Management in the Courts, under the leadership of J. Donald Monan, S.J., Chancellor of Boston College, released its comprehensive report three months ago. Since that time, the Justices have solicited reactions from people within and outside the courts. We have received many thoughtful comments from our judges and staff, as well as from members of the bar, representatives of the business community, leaders of the legislative and executive branches, and numerous other groups and individuals, who agree with us that court management reform must be our highest priority in the coming years. We all look forward to creating a system characterized by clear lines of authority. We look forward to a day when funds and other resources are allocated fairly among courts. We look forward to developing a management culture of excellence that translates into clear accountability, high performance, and comprehensive job standards in every court.

          Judge Mulligan, a proven leader who commands the great respect of all with whom he has worked over the past two decades, is committed to this mission. We look forward to working with him as he sets forth -- in cooperation with all who work within our courts and support our shared mission -- to make that vision a reality.

          Why are we so pleased to make this appointment? We know that Robert Mulligan has the energy, the talent, the vision, and, yes, even the doggedness, to undertake the management changes to which the Justices are committed. During his 20 years of service as a Justice of the Superior Court, including five years as Chief Justice of the Superior Court, Judge Mulligan has demonstrated impressive abilities not only as a jurist but also as an innovative court manager. In large ways and small, while he was Chief Justice of the Superior Court, he challenged everyone to work at the highest level. He has a profound understanding of the workings of the judicial branch, not only from the point of view of judges but also from that of the many other hardworking men and women who make our courts work as well as they do in what are often difficult circumstances. He is deeply respectful of the contributions of everyone who participates in the work of the judiciary. While he was Chief Justice, he brought about significant management changes, including the implementation of time standards for civil cases in the Superior Court. This mammoth undertaking ensures that justice is delivered in a timely, efficient manner by setting strict deadlines for the litigation process. He instituted mandatory racial and ethnic equality training for all Superior Court judges and employees. He chaired the Massachusetts Sentencing Commission, which developed widely used guidelines for sentencing in criminal cases in the Superior, District, and Boston Municipal Courts. In 2002, he received the Boston Bar Assn's Haskell Cohn Award for Distinguished Judicial Service.

          In his bones, Judge Mulligan is committed to an independent judiciary and the obligation of our branch to serve the people of this Commonwealth. The rule of law is at the core of our successful constitutional democracy. Judge Mulligan appreciates the role of an independent judiciary and the importance of working with the Legislative and Executive branches to improve the delivery of justice to the Commonwealth's citizens. He is committed, as are the Justices, to creating a court system that performs to high standards of civility, timeliness, cost-efficiency, while continuing to deliver the substantive justice that has made our judiciary a national model for so long.

          I will ask Judge Mulligan to say a few words next. But before I do so, the Justices have asked me to emphasize how much we appreciate the innumerable contributions made by Chief Justice Dortch-Okara in a most demanding job during the past five years. Chief Justice Dortch-Okara has worked unceasingly to lead the Trial Court during difficult years of diminished resources and enormous fiscal challenges. She has worked diligently with judges, court personnel, legislators, and community representatives in an effort to address numerous administrative issues and to provide better access to justice for all who come to our courts. Chief Justice Dortch-Okara, a superb judge, deserves our utmost gratitude and respect for her distinguished service in the administration of justice."

Statement of Hon. Robert A. Mulligan

JUNE 10, 2003

          I want to express my appreciation to Chief Justice Marshall and the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court for their expression of confidence in appointing me to this vitally important position in the Massachusetts court system.

          I embark on this endeavor with profound respect and appreciation for all those who work in the seven Departments of the Trial Court and in the Administrative Office. I know, for I have seen it in my nearly twenty-three years as a judge, that those who work in our courthouses serve the public with professionalism, patience, and courtesy.

          In our endeavor to improve the delivery of justice we have the benefit of a remarkable document prepared by the Visiting Committee chaired by Father J. Donald Monan.

          I say the document is remarkable because it is both a clarion call to action and a blueprint for improving the delivery of justice.

          While not all members of the Trial Court may agree with every detail of this document, no one can question its fundamental findings.

          The Monan Committee found that court problems today are not due to a lack of dedicated, talented employees. Nor did the committee find problems with the quality of justice in the courts.

          Rather, the committee found that dedicated court employees are constrained from delivering the highest quality of service by an inefficient management structure. My main goal is to serve my fellow court employees by improving administrative structures and processes so that they are able to deliver high quality justice in a more efficient manner.

          I want to ensure that justice is consistent and fair for all citizens in all areas of the Commonwealth. I look forward to reviewing the recommendations of the Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, which was established by Chief Justice Dortch-Okara, to help in achieving this goal.

          I appreciate the many excellent employees of the Trial Court and I will always remember that I came from the trenches. My role and the role of the Administrative Office of the Trial Court is to help and support those who work on the front lines as they serve the public and all who come to our courthouses seeking justice.

          When I was Chief Justice of the Superior Court, I believe that I was successful in creating an attitude of solidarity among the judges and all who work for that court. I hope to create that same sense of solidarity among all the employees of the Trial Court so that we might work shoulder to shoulder to improve the delivery of justice in all the courthouses of the Commonwealth.

          We must not be dissuaded or deterred in our task by a lack of resources. We will move forward, confident in our ability to effect real changes in the management of our caseload. Indeed, the present fiscal constraints provide an opportunity to address the issues more creatively, informed by best practices from other sectors.

          I know that there is a reservoir of talent in our system, people who are eager to begin this work. In order to succeed, to meet the challenge of our noble calling, we must work together and learn from each other. There is much that I can learn from all who work for the Trial Court, most especially perhaps from those who deal with members of the public each day at the counters of our courthouses throughout the state.

          I pledge to work with Chief Justice Marshall and the justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, the leadership and members of the legislature and those who work in the executive branch.

          I reiterate, I have the greatest respect and admiration for those who work in our system of justice and I look forward with enthusiasm to work together with them.

          I thank you all for being here today and lending your support to me as I begin this crucial endeavor.

          Thank you.

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