Press Release  Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke Appoints Honorable Diana H. Horan Chief Justice of the Housing Court

BOSTON, MA — Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke today announced the appointment of Judge Diana H. Horan as Chief Justice of the Housing Court for a five-year term starting March 25, 2023, in accordance with G.L. c.211B, §5. Judge Horan has served on the Housing Court since 1999 and was the first female judge appointed to that court. She will succeed Chief Justice Timothy F. Sullivan who will retire on March 24, 2023, after almost 20 years in the Housing Court, including more than seven years as chief.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Diana Horan to lead the Housing Court,” said Chief Justice Locke. “Judge Horan is widely respected and strongly supported by her colleagues who cite her innovative spirit, compassion, and thoughtfulness. She has a deep understanding of the struggles facing litigants, and those who come before the Housing Court seeking assistance. Her knowledge, experience, and leadership abilities will enable her to continue to build on the accomplishments of Chief Justice Sullivan.”

Judge Horan is currently an Associate Justice of the Central Housing Court Division in Worcester after serving as First Justice there for almost 20 years. In 2018, she also became the Acting First Justice of the MetroSouth Division to build a new division created as part of the Housing Court expansion. She was recently named chair of the statewide Steering Committee of the Tenancy Preservation Program and serves on the Housing Court’s Post Pandemic Committee. She also has served on committees that developed the self-represented litigant guidelines and revised the Code of Judicial Conduct.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to assume the role of Chief Justice of the Housing Court and I thank Chief Justice Locke for this opportunity,” said Judge Horan. “I am mindful that I am following in the footsteps of Chief Justice Sullivan, who guided our department through geographic expansion and an unprecedented pandemic, which affected our ability to dispense justice in a timely manner. My goal will be to continue his steady leadership and I appreciate that I will be doing so alongside some of the finest judges, clerks, housing specialists and clerks’ staff.”

Judge Horan and Court Administrator Thomas G. Ambrosino will reappoint Benjamin O. Adeyinka as Deputy Court Administrator for the Housing Court.

Judge Horan began her legal career in the Disability Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services and moved to the City of Worcester as Assistant City Solicitor before being named First Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Housing Court. She has taught Business Law and Conflict Resolution/Mediation at Clark University and Judicial Administration at Anna Maria College.  She has served on the Boards of Trustees at Western New England University and the Flaschner Judicial Institute. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and Western New England University School of Law.

The Housing Court Department is comprised of six divisions with 15 judges who hold sessions in 23 locations across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 385 judges who deliver justice in 94 courthouses across the state.

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