Press Release  Supreme Judicial Court Appoints Michael P. Coelho as Massachusetts Trial Court Administrator

Boston, MA — The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court announced today the selection of Michael P. Coelho as the next Court Administrator of the Trial Court. Mr. Coelho will begin his new position on October 13, 2026. He succeeds Thomas G. Ambrosino, who retired on September 18, 2026.

"We are pleased to appoint Michael Coelho as Court Administrator. Mike has extensive management experience in the Trial Court and in the other branches of Massachusetts government,” Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd said. “The Justices are confident that this background will serve him well in his new role. We are grateful to former Court Administrator Tom Ambrosino for his service and look forward to working with Mike to further improve the delivery of justice in our state courts.”

Mr. Coelho is currently the Deputy Commissioner of Programs for the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, where he manages the Massachusetts Probation Service’s involvement in the operation of specialty courts, the interstate compact unit, the research division, the substance use testing program, and reentry and sober housing placements. He previously served for three years as the Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and prior to that, as Chief of Staff. Before that, he worked as a legislative director for the Executive Office of Governor Mitt Romney. Mr. Coelho earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

“I am honored to continue my service to the Trial Court in this new role. I am deeply committed to our mission of equal access to justice, and its efficient, effective, and fair administration,” said incoming Court Administrator Coelho. “I look forward to continuing the great work of my predecessor Tom Ambrosino in advocating for the operational resources to meet the needs of the Court, and of all our employees and court users.”

“Mike’s experience in state government and his more than 12 years in a leadership role at the Massachusetts Probation Service give him a valuable perspective on Trial Court operations,” said Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi E. Brieger. “I look forward to working together as we continue to modernize court operations, support our workforce, and strengthen public trust in the court system.”

The Massachusetts Court Administrator co-leads the Trial Court, the largest component of the Massachusetts Judicial Branch with seven court departments and over 6,400 employees, across 94 courthouses throughout the Commonwealth. The position of Court Administrator was created by legislation enacted in 2011. Working together with the Chief Justice of the Trial Court, the Court Administrator is responsible for managing administrative functions that support the Trial Court’s mission. Duties include budget preparation and oversight, labor relations, information technology, capital projects, security, and personnel policy.

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