Justice Robert A. Brennan received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law.
Justice Brennan began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, focusing on both domestic violence and gang-related crimes. From there he joined the firm Gilman, McLaughlin & Hanrahan as a Litigation Associate. Thereafter, Justice Brennan joined the Essex County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney where he was named Deputy Chief of the Sexual Assault Unit. In 2002, Justice Brennan was appointed Associate Justice of the District Court. While serving as Justice of the District Court he was appointed as Regional Administrative Justice and also served as First Justice in the Salem District Court.
In 2012 Justice Brennan started as the lead District Court judge in the High-Risk Opportunity Probation with Enforcement – Massachusetts Offender Recidivism Reduction (HOPE-MORR) pilot program, where probationers at high risk of reoffending can go under more intense supervision in exchange for lesser penalties for probation violations. He then oversaw the expansion of the program to Chelsea District Court, Worcester District Court, and all District Court divisions within Essex County.
Outside of the law, Justice Brennan coached softball and basketball and taught Constitutional Interpretations of Criminal Procedure at North Shore Community College.
Justice Brennan was appointed to the Massachusetts Appeals Court by Governor Charles Baker in 2022.