Governor Nominates Natick Resident to Massachusetts Housing Court

Governor Charlie Baker has nominated attorney Maria Theophilis to the Boston Division of the Massachusetts Housing Court, whose jurisdiction includes civil and criminal actions and equitable relief, involving the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or owners of residential housing.

“Throughout her career, Maria has provided support to those seeking an outspoken advocate on their behalf,” said Governor Baker, in a statement. “Combined with her lengthy record of proceedings before the Housing Court on behalf of both tenants and landlords, I know she carries all the requisite experience to provide sound decisions from the bench.”

Justices issue decisions on matters involving residential eviction, small claims and civil actions, as well as code enforcement actions and appeals of local zoning board decisions.

Ten judges serve its five divisions – Boston, Northeast, Southeast, Western and Worcester. Judge Timothy F. Sullivan was named as Chief of the Housing Court in September and this appointment would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Justice Steven D. Pierce, who was appointed to the bench in 2002 by Governor Jane Swift. Judge Timothy F. Sullivan was named as Chief of the Housing Court in September.

“We are confident that Attorney Theophilis will be a great addition to this important and high volume court and will decide cases in a deliberative, thoughtful and decisive manner that will be well received by all that appear before her,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito.

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

Theophilis of Natick was born in Boston and graduated from the College of Wooster with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and from New England Law School in 1999. Theophilis began her career as a staff attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services, where she represented tenants in eviction proceedings. After two years as an associate at Gordon, Mond & Ott, 2003 to 2005, she joined the law firm of Broderick Bancroft as an equity partner in civil litigation matters with a focus on subsidized housing and property management, housing discrimination law and commercial leasing. Over the course of her career, Theophilis has spent 90 percent of her practice in Housing Court. She has served as a Co-Chair of the Middlesex committee of the Women’s Bar Association and has presented at numerous housing law trainings sponsored by the Boston Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project, a program that prepares lawyers who volunteer in the Boston Housing Court.