HONORABLE LYNDA M. CONNOLLY TO BE ADMINISTERED OATH OF OFFICE
AS NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT

Boston—For the first time in 28 years, the District Court Department of the Trial Court will have a new Chief Justice when Honorable Lynda M. Connolly is administered the oath of office on Friday, June 18, 2004, at the conclusion of the Annual District Court Conference at Williams College in Williamstown.  Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan, who appointed Judge Connolly to the position last month, will administer the oath of office to her.

          Judge Connolly, presently the First Justice of the Dedham District Court, succeeds District Court Chief Justice Samuel E. Zoll, who is retiring from the Judiciary this week after having served as a judge for 31 years and as Chief Justice of the District Court since 1976.

          Judge Connolly said, "Our court as we know it today — professional and fully engaged in the life of the communities we serve — has been Chief Justice Zoll's life's work.  Our goal is to write the next chapter in the history of this court, which is the gateway to justice for the vast majority of people who seek justice in this Commonwealth."

          One of Judge Connolly's first initiatives as Chief Justice will be a series of six afternoon regional meetings and receptions at district courts throughout the state.  Judge Connolly plans to meet with judges and staff in each region and tour the courthouses. 

          The schedule is as follows:

Cambridge District Court on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 Brockton District Court on Thursday, July 1, 2004 Lynn District Court on Monday, July 19, 2004 Worcester District Court on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 Quincy District Court on Friday, September 10, 2004 Northampton District Court on Friday, October 1, 2004

          Judge Connolly has been the First Justice of the Dedham District Court since 2003 when she was appointed by Chief Justice Zoll.  Governor William F. Weld first appointed her as an Associate Justice of the Marlborough District Court in 1997.   She subsequently served as Acting First Justice of the Charlestown District Court (now a division of the Boston Municipal Court). She is presently chair of the Trial Court's Budget Advisory Committee, and serves on the District Court Committee on Continuing Judicial Education and the Committee on Chapter 123 Commitments (Massachusetts mental health statute).

          Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Connolly served as General Counsel at Gallagher & Gallagher P.C.  From 1991 to 1997, she served as a Special Assistant Attorney General.  She also was a sole practitioner from 1980 to 1989, and for two years prior to that, she was associated with the firm of Connolly & Johnson.  She began her legal career in 1975, serving as a special prosecutor in the Major Violator's Division of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

          Judge Connolly is a graduate of Boston College Law School and the College of William and Mary. A resident of Roslindale, Judge Connolly is married and has four children.