Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan today announced the appointment of Judge Paula M. Carey of Burlington as the new Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court for a five-year term, in accordance with G.L. c211B, §5. Judge Carey succeeds Chief Justice Sean M. Dunphy, who will retire on September 30, 2007, after 29 years of exemplary service. Chief Justice Dunphy has served with distinction as Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court since 1997.

         Chief Justice Mulligan said, "I am very pleased to announce the selection of Judge Paula Carey to succeed Chief Justice Sean Dunphy as the next Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court Department. Judge Carey brings a high degree of intelligence, experience and leadership skills that render her extremely qualified to lead the Probate and Family Court. She is highly respected for her extraordinary energy, work ethic and depth of knowledge in the area of Family Law. She will contribute significantly to the management reform efforts underway in the Massachusetts Trial Court through her commitment to the continuous improvement of access to justice for families across the state."

         Chief Justice Mulligan said that he was presented with excellent candidates for the position of Chief Justice. He also commended Chief Justice Dunphy as a thoughtful, intelligent dean of the Trial Court Chief Justices and said that he would miss his cheerful and wise counsel.

         Judge Carey has been a Probate and Family Court judge since her appointment to the bench in 2001. She currently sits in Norfolk County and serves as a member of the Child Support Guidelines Task Force.

          Judge Carey said, "I would like to thank Chief Justice Mulligan for his confidence in my abilities and for providing me with this wonderful opportunity. I would also like to thank Chief Justice Dunphy for his commitment to our Court and the system over the last 29 years, specifically the last 10 years as Chief. I will miss his guidance and support. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the staff of the Probate and Family Court at a time when our Court is undergoing great positive change with the introduction of time standards, Mass Courts, and increased performance accountability measures. I am mindful of the challenges we face and am committed to providing leadership and accountability in ensuring access to justice in all of our Courts."

         In 2006, she received the Daniel J. Toomey Excellence in Judiciary Award and in 2004 the Probate and Family Court Division of the Massachusetts Judges Conference presented her with a Judicial Excellence Award.

         In 1989, she co-founded the firm Carey and Mooney, PC, a family law practice. While in private practice, she chaired the Family Law Section of the Massachusetts Bar Association and served on the Family Law Steering Committee of the Boston Bar Association. Judge Carey graduated magna cum laude from the New England School of Law.

         The Probate and Family Court Department is comprised of 14 Divisions with 51 judges across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 380 judges who deliver justice in 110 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.