GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT

BOSTON - Friday, February 4, 2011 - Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) is accepting applicants for the Supreme Judicial Court vacancy created by the recently announced retirement of Associate Justice Judith A. Cowin, which is effective April 5, 2011.

The application deadline is Thursday, February 17, 2011. Once applications are received, the JNC will conduct a full review of all applicants and is expected to make recommendations to the Governor prior to April 1, 2011.

The application for this vacancy and instructions for filing the application will be posted today on the JNC website ( www.mass.gov/jnc). The Governor and the JNC encourage applications by qualified persons of diverse background and experience.