The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court today announced the appointment of Essex Probate and Family Court First Justice Mary Anne Sahagian as a new member of the Commission on Judicial Conduct for a six-year term, effective December 1, 2008. Judge Sahagian succeeds Worcester Probate and Family Court Judge Susan D. Ricci, whose term recently expired.

          Judge Sahagian was first appointed to the Probate and Family Court in 1999 and presently serves as the First Justice of the Essex County Probate and Family Court. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Sahagian was in private practice for nineteen years. She is a member of the Massachusetts and Essex County Bar Associations. She is also a member of the National Association of Women Judges, the Massachusetts Judges Conference and the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers. Judge Sahagian holds a J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School and a B.S. degree from the University of Lowell. She has served on the Probate and Family Court Education Committee, chaired the Probate and Family Court Committee on the Development of Guardian Ad Litem Standards, and also served on the Judicial Enhancement Committee.

          According to G.L. c. 211C, § 1, three judges are appointed to the Commission on Judicial Conduct by the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court; three lawyers are appointed by the Chief Justice for Administration and Management of the Trial Court; and three lay persons are appointed by the Governor to six-year terms. Established in 1978, the Commission on Judicial Conduct investigates allegations of misconduct of state judges.