Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan today announced the appointment of Judge Steven D. Pierce as the new Chief Justice of the Housing Court Department of the Trial Court for a five-year term, in accordance with G.L. c211B, § 5. Judge Pierce succeeds Chief Justice Manuel Kyriakakis, who will retire on January 1, 2006, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of seventy for judges. Chief Justice Kyriakakis has served with distinction as Chief Justice of the Housing Court since June 17, 2002.

          The Housing Court consists of five divisions in Massachusetts: Boston, Worcester, Northeast, Southeast, and Western.

          Chief Justice Mulligan said, "I am very pleased to announce the selection of Judge Steven Pierce of Westfield to succeed Chief Justice Manuel Kyriakakis as the next Chief Justice of the Housing Court Department. Judge Pierce brings a breadth of managerial experience which renders him uniquely qualified to lead the Housing Court and to contribute significantly to the management initiatives presently underway in the Massachusetts Trial Court. He is very bright, highly respected, and will bring a wealth of managerial experience which will benefit not only the Housing Court Department but the Trial Court as a whole. I look forward to having Judge Pierce join my management team."

          Chief Justice Mulligan said that he was presented with an excellent group of candidates for the position of Chief Justice. He also praised Chief Justice Kyriakakis, stating that he was a superb Chief Justice and that he would miss his wise counsel and collegial presence.

          Judge Pierce has been a Housing Court judge since his appointment to the bench in January, 2003. He brings to the position of Chief Justice extensive leadership, legal and management experience in the public and private sectors. He served as Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Jane Swift from August, 2001 to October, 2002, and as a senior advisor to Governor William Weld. For nearly seven years, he was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency where he was recognized for strategic leadership and sound management practices. He was also Cabinet Secretary of Communities and Development in 1991.

          Prior to that, Judge Pierce was a State Representative for twelve years and a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1990 and the U.S. Congress in 1991. He was a partner in the Boston office of Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott for two years and previously worked at Berndt, Antonellis & Larsen in Westfield and at Murtha, Cullina, Richter & Pinney in Hartford.

          A resident of Westfield and Boston, Judge Pierce graduated with honors from Duke University School of Law and from Union College, summa cum laude. He has been honored with several notable awards as a legislator and as an executive leader.

         Judge Pierce said, "I am honored to be appointed by Chief Justice Mulligan and look forward to working with him on management initiatives underway to improve the Trial Court and also with my colleagues and staff on the important issues in the Housing Court Department. Chief Justice Kyriakakis has accomplished much in his relatively short tenure as Chief Justice of the Housing Court and has been an inspirational leader. I am grateful to have served with him, and I will miss him."