Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan today announced the reappointment of Chief Justice Charles R. Johnson to the Boston Municipal Court for a five-year term, in accordance with G.L. c211B, §5. Chief Justice Johnson was named Chief Justice in 2003 and has served the Boston Municipal Court since 1985. He has presided over the expansion and integration of the court into an eight-division department serving the City of Boston.

            Chief Justice Mulligan said, “I am very pleased to announce the reappointment of Chief Justice Charles Johnson who has most capably led the Boston Municipal Court through a period of dynamic change. His motivational and interpersonal skills have made him a dedicated, energetic partner in efforts to introduce significant management reforms to enhance the delivery of justice.

            “His creative, can-do approach has resulted in the introduction of many innovations in court operations. Most recently, the Boston Municipal Court was the first department to introduce a very successful access and fairness initiative to survey court users. He is a highly regarded, thoughtful leader who will continue the terrific momentum underway.”

            Chief Justice Mulligan said that Chief Justice Johnson received extraordinary support from the judges and staff in the Boston Municipal Court, as well as from attorneys who practice in the court. He has received numerous honors from legal and community organizations, most recently as a recipient of the Diversity Award from the Massachusetts Bar Association.

            Chief Justice Johnson said, “I consider my service as Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court Department, under the leadership of Chief Justice Mulligan, to be one of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences of my personal and professional life. I am honored by his confidence in my leadership of this court department.

            “My first term focused on efforts to ensure that the Boston Municipal Court Department is perceived by ourselves and by others as a unified court department working collaboratively for the good of the whole. Going forward I pledge my attention and creativity to ensuring that the Department remains in the forefront in helping to formulate and implement a successful strategy for revolutionizing the delivery of justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

            The Boston Municipal Court Department is comprised of eight Divisions with 30 authorized judicial positions in Suffolk County. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 379 judges who deliver justice in 106 courthouses across the state. Comprehensive management reform is underway in the courts to increase efficiency, accountability and transparency in this large, complex organization that delivers access to justice to thousands of people daily. underway throughout the Trial Court to increase efficiency, accountability and transparency, as it serves thousands of citizens daily.