Massachusetts Appeals Court Justice Gordon L. Doerfer has been elected President-Elect of the American Judicature Society at the Annual Meeting in San Francisco held from August 9 to August 10.

         Previously, Judge Doerfer served as treasurer and was a member of the Executive Committee of the American Judicature Society. He also served as a director from 1993 to 1999. Since 2001, he has been chair of the Advisory Committee for the American Judicature Society Center for Judicial Ethics.

         Judge Doerfer will retire from the Massachusetts Appeals Court effective August 31, and will devote more time to his leadership role in the American Judicature Society. He will also pursue a post-judicial career as a private mediator and arbitrator.

         “The American Judicature Society has played a crucial role since its founding in 1913 to help improve the justice system in this country,” remarked Judge Doerfer. “I believe it will continue to do so in the years to come. The members, leaders and staff of the Society come from a broad and dedicated base of citizens, lawyers, academics, and judges. It has been an honor for me to be a part of this organization for many years, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve in an even more active capacity.”

         Appeals Court Chief Justice Phillip Rapoza stated, “The election of Justice Doerfer to this important position is the capstone of an impressive judicial career. He is an exceptional judge, and I know that he will be instrumental in helping the American Judiciature Society to advance its important mission. We will miss him greatly at the Appeals Court, but we are pleased that his considerable talents are being recognized at the national level.”

         Before serving as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, Judge Doerfer was an associate justice of the Superior Court from 1977 to 1981 and 1990 to 2001. From 1973 to 1977, he served on the Boston Municipal Court. He was in private practice from 1981 to 1990, specializing in civil litigation. A member of the American Law Institute, he has served as chair of the Administration of Justice Committee of the Boston Bar Association and president of the Boston Inns of Court. He is a trustee of the Flaschner Judicial Institute and past trustee of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation. Judge Doerfer received his B.A. degree from Amherst College in 1961 and his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School in 1966.

          Founded in 1913, The American Judicature Society is a nonpartisan organization with a national membership of judges, lawyers, and other citizens interested in improving our nation's courts and the administration of justice. The Society’s mission is to ensure a fair, impartial, independent judiciary; improve the criminal justice process; educate the public; and build confidence in the justice system.