Press Release  Honorable Michael D. Ricciuti Appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court

BOSTON, MA — Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke today announced the appointment of Judge Michael D. Ricciuti as Chief Justice of the Superior Court for a five-year term in accordance with G.L. c.211B, §5, effective December 22, 2023.  

“I am pleased to appoint Judge Ricciuti to lead the Superior Court for the next five years,” said Chief Justice Locke. “He has the leadership and management skills needed to succeed in this role. Judge Ricciuti’s legal acumen, judicial temperament, and interpersonal skills will successfully guide his leadership. He is highly respected and trusted by his colleagues who appreciate that he works collaboratively and leads by example and consensus. I believe that he will very ably meet the standard of excellence set by Chief Justice Brieger and continue her strong leadership of the Superior Court.”

Judge Ricciuti was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to the Superior Court in 2017. He has served in five counties and serves six-month rotations in the Business Litigation Session. He is the judge appointed to oversee the Massachusetts Asbestos Litigation docket and its hundreds of cases statewide. His current committee participation includes serving on the Superior Court Judicial Education Committee and the Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Evidence Law. He also serves as a judicial mentor.

“I am honored by Chief Justice Locke’s confidence in me, and by the support of my colleagues,” said Judge Ricciuti. “I look forward to working with incoming Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger and continuing her exemplary stewardship of the Superior Court.”    

Judge Ricciuti began his legal career in 1987 as a law clerk for Honorable A. David Mazzone in the U.S. District Court. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College and a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School. He has served on a wide variety of legal and community committees, currently serving on the Boston Bar Journal Board of Editors. 

Judge Ricciuti and Court Administrator Thomas G. Ambrosino will reappoint Elaina M. Quinn as Deputy Court Administrator for the Superior Court.

The Superior Court Department serves 14 counties with 82 authorized judicial positions across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 393 judges who deliver justice in 94 courthouses across the state.

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