Gov. Baker Nominates 2 to Massachusetts Superior Court

BOSTON, MA - Governor Charlie Baker has nominated Rosemary Connolly and Joseph F. Leighton, Jr., both with 30 years of litigation experience, to the Massachusetts Superior Court.

“These nominees’ knowledge of the law, integrity, temperament and willingness to work hard will allow for a smooth transition onto the Superior Court bench,” said Gov. Baker in a statement. “I am confident that Rosemary Connolly and Joseph Leighton’s extensive courtroom, negotiation and case management skills will serve the court well.”

“Superior Court Justices hear some of the most serious cases in the Commonwealth, and both individuals possess the necessary skills, developed over their impressive years in practice, to run efficient and just courtrooms,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, in a press release. “We know Attorneys Connolly and Leighton will serve the Superior Court with honor and look forward to the Governor’s Council consideration of their nominations.”

If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Connolly and Leighton will fill the seats vacated by the Honorable Frances A. McIntyre and the Honorable Diane M. Kottmyer, respectively.

Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the statewide Judicial Nominating Commission and recommended to the Governor. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.

The Superior Court is comprised of 82 justices in 20 courthouses across all 14 counties and is a statewide court of general jurisdictions that handles a broad variety of civil litigation in matters of contract, injury, civil rights, and others with amounts in controversy exceeding $25,000.

In addition, the Court oversees criminal matters including homicide, sex offenses, robbery, and financial fraud. Approximately 65 percent of the cases are civil lawsuits and the remaining 35 percent are criminal proceedings.

About Rosemary Connolly

Connolly began her legal career at Robins Kaplan, LLP as a paralegal, then became a full-time law clerk while attending law school. Upon graduation she became an associate in the firm and in 1993 was named as a partner where she had a varied civil litigation practice. In 1999 she left private practice and joined the Attorney General’s Office serving first as an Assistant Attorney General in the Trial Division and later as the Chief of the Trial Division. There she continued her trial work representing the Commonwealth in tort, employment, civil rights, eminent domain and contract disputes in the Superior Courts across the state. As the Chief she supervised 22 Assistant Attorneys General who defended the Commonwealth in all of its civil litigation. Connolly served 11 years in the Attorney General’s Office before she joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010 as the Chief of its Civil Division where she has continued her civil practice while also managing the Division’s 21 Assistant U.S. Attorneys handling a wide array of litigation. Connolly was born in Boston and resides in West Roxbury. She graduatedmagna cum laude from Providence College in 1982 and cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in 1986 and was a member of Law Review.

About Joseph F. Leighton, Jr.

Leighton, Jr. has had a distinguished career devoted to litigation and trial work. He began his legal career at Parker, Coulter, Daley & White in Boston, in 1988, becoming a partner in 1994 where he tried many product, professional and general liability cases, almost all to juries. From 1996 to 2000, Leighton was a civil litigating partner at Vena & Riley, LLP and between 2000 and 2002 Senior Trial Counsel at Kenner, Engelberg, DaDalt & Bratcher where he continued his extensive trial practice. Since 2002, Leighton has been a partner at Wilson, Edelman & Dicker, LLP continuing his litigation/trial practice. Over the course of his career, Leighton has practiced almost exclusively in the Massachusetts Superior Court, including defending product manufacturers, distributors and retailers, as well as and property owners, contractors and professionals with an emphasis on trial work. Leighton was born in Boston and resides in Cohasset. He graduated magna cum laude from North Adams State College in 1981 and cum laude from Boston College Law School in 1985.