United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (in case citation
s, D. Mass.) is the federal district court
whose jurisdiction is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
, USA. The first court session was held in Boston in 1789. The second term was held in Salem
in 1790 and until 1813 court session locations alternated between the two cities. That year, Boston became the court's permanent home. A western division was opened in Springfield
in 1979 and a central division was opened in Worcester
in 1987. The court's main building is the John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse on Fan Pier in South Boston
.
Appeals from the District of Massachusetts are heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
, also located in the Moakley courthouse (except for patent
claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act
, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit
).
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court. The current U.S. Attorney is Carmen Ortiz.
Case citation
Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a 'neutral' form which will identify a decision wherever it was reported...
s, D. Mass.) is the federal district court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
whose jurisdiction is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA. The first court session was held in Boston in 1789. The second term was held in Salem
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
in 1790 and until 1813 court session locations alternated between the two cities. That year, Boston became the court's permanent home. A western division was opened in Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
in 1979 and a central division was opened in Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
in 1987. The court's main building is the John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse on Fan Pier in South Boston
South Boston, Massachusetts
South Boston is a densely populated neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, located south and east of the Fort Point Channel and abutting Dorchester Bay. One of America's oldest and most historic neighborhoods, South Boston was formerly known as Dorchester Neck, and today is called "Southie" by...
.
Appeals from the District of Massachusetts are heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Maine* District of Massachusetts...
, also located in the Moakley courthouse (except for patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act
Tucker Act
Through the Tucker Act , the United States government has waived its sovereign immunity with respect to certain lawsuits....
, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
-Vacancies and pending nominations:-List of former judges:-Chief judges:Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the court was initially created, Congress had to resolve which chief judge of the predecessor courts would become the first chief judge...
).
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court. The current U.S. Attorney is Carmen Ortiz.
Current composition of the court
- As of May 22, 2011, a vacancy exists due to Judge Nancy GertnerNancy GertnerNancy Gertner is a former United States federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts...
's decision to retire. On November 30, 2011, President Obama nominated Timothy S. HillmanTimothy S. HillmanTimothy S. Hillman is a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and is currently a nominee for District Judge for that Court.-Biography:...
to fill the vacancy. His nomination is pending before the U.S. Senate.
- As of August 15, 2011, a second vacancy exists due to Judge Michael PonsorMichael PonsorMichael Adrian Ponsor is a senior judge on the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He serves in the court's western region, in the city of Springfield....
's decision to assume senior statusSenior statusSenior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
. No replacement nomination is pending at this time.
Former judges
Magistrate Judges
- Rudolph F. Pierce (1976–1979)
- Patti B. SarisPatti B. SarisPatti B. Saris is a District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She joined the court in 1993 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. She is also Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission.-Early life and education:Saris was born in...
(1985–1989) - Peter W. Prince (1971–1981)
- Charles B. Swartwood (1973–2006)
- Robert P. DeGiacomo (1980–1985)
- Michael A. Ponsor (1984–1994)
- Willie J. Davis (1971–1976)
- Lawrence P. Cohen (1976–2005)
- Zachary R. Karol (1993–1999)
- Joyce London Alexander (1979–2009)
- Jennifer C. Boal (2010–present)
- Marianne B. Bowler (1990–present)
- Robert B. Collings (1982–present)
- Judith G. Dein (2000–present)
- Kenneth P. Neiman (1995–present)
- Leo T. Sorokin (2005–present)
- Timothy S. HillmanTimothy S. HillmanTimothy S. Hillman is a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and is currently a nominee for District Judge for that Court.-Biography:...
(2006–present)
U.S. Attorneys
- Christopher GoreChristopher GoreChristopher Gore was a prominent Massachusetts lawyer, Federalist politician, and diplomat.-Biography:Gore was born in Boston in 1758, the tenth of thirteen children of Frances and John Gore, a successful merchant and artisan...
(1789–1796) - Harrison Gray Otis (1796)
- John Davis (1796–1801)
- George Blake (1801–1829)
- Andrew Dunlop (1829–1835)
- John Mills (1835–1841)
- Franklin Dexter (1841–1845)
- Robert Rantoul, Jr.Robert Rantoul, Jr.Robert Rantoul, Jr. was an American politician from Massachusetts.He was born in Beverly, Massachusetts. He attended the common schools and Phillips Andover Academy and graduated from Harvard University in 1826...
(1846–1849) - George LuntGeorge LuntGeorge Lunt was an American editor, lawyer, author, and politician. George's ancestor, Henry Lunt, was one of the original settlers of Newbury . His grandfather's exploits with John Paul Jones were chronicled by James Fenimore Cooper. -Life:He attended Phillips Academy...
(1850–1853) - Benjamin F. HallettBenjamin F. HallettBenjamin Franklin Hallett was a Massachusetts lawyer and Democratic Party activist, most notable as the first chairman of the Democratic National Committee....
(1853–1857) - Charles L. Woodbury (1857–1861)
- Richard Henry Dana, Jr.Richard Henry Dana, Jr.Richard Henry Dana Jr. was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts, a descendant of an eminent colonial family who gained renown as the author of the American classic, the memoir Two Years Before the Mast...
(1861–1866) - George Stillman HillardGeorge Stillman HillardGeorge Stillman Hillard was an American lawyer and author. Besides developing his Boston legal practice , he served in the Massachusetts legislature, edited several Boston journals, and wrote on literature, politics and travel.-Biography:Hillard was born at Machias, Maine on September 22, 1808...
(1866–1870) - David H. MasonDavid H. MasonDavid Haven Mason was an American attorney and Republican politician from Newton, Massachusetts, who served on the Massachusetts Board of Education, in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and later as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1870 until his death in...
(1870–1873) - George P. SangerGeorge P. SangerGeorge Partridge Sanger was an American lawyer, editor, judge, and businessman who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1873 to 1886 and was the first president of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.-Early life:Sanger was born on November 27, 1819...
(1873–1886) - George M. StearnsGeorge M. StearnsGeorge Monroe Stearns was an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1886 to 1887.-Early life:Stearns was born on April 18, 1831 in Stoughton, Massachusetts...
(1886–1887) - Owen A. GalvinOwen A. GalvinOwen A. Galvin was an American attorney and politician who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1887 to 1890.-Early life:...
(1887–1890) - Frank D. AllenFrank D. AllenFrank Dewey Allen was an American attorney and politician who served as a member of Massachusetts House of Representatives, the Massachusetts Governor's Council, and was the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.-Early life:...
(1890–1893) - Sherman HoarSherman Hoar-External links:* By Thomas Townsend Sherman* at Political Graveyard* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harvard_#Statue Wikipedia: John Harvard Statue...
(1893–1897) - Boyd B. JonesBoyd B. JonesBoyd B. Jones was an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1897 to 1901. He later served on the faculty at the Boston University School of Law and was one of the founding members of the Sentinels of the Republic.-References:...
(1897–1901) - Henry P. MoultonHenry P. MoultonHenry Percy Moulton was an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from March 20, 1901 until his death on December 4, 1905.-Early life:...
(1901–1905) - Melvin O. AdamsMelvin O. AdamsMelvin Ohio Adams was an American attorney and railroad executive who was part of Lizzie Borden's legal defense team, the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1905 to 1906, and the President of the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad.-Early life:Adams was born on...
(1905–1906) - Asa P. FrenchAsa P. FrenchAsa Palmer French was an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1906 to 1914.French was born on January 29, 1860. His father was a Commissioner of the Court of Alabama Claims. In 1892 French graduated from Yale University.From 1901 to 1906...
(1906–1914) - George Weston AndersonGeorge Weston AndersonGeorge Weston Anderson was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.-Biography:...
(1914–1917) - Thomas J. BoyntonThomas J. Boynton (Massachusetts)Thomas Jefferson Boynton was a U.S. political figure who served in 1882 as a member of the Vermont legislature, the city solicitor and the Mayor of Everett, Massachusetts and as the Massachusetts Attorney General....
(1917–1920) - Daniel J. GallagherDaniel J. GallagherDaniel J. Gallagher was an American attorney and political figure who served as a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917-1918, the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1920 to 1921, and a delegate to 1932 Democratic National Convention from...
(1920–1921) - Robert O. HarrisRobert O. HarrisRobert Orr Harris was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, son of Benjamin Winslow Harris.Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Harris attended the common schools and Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire....
(1921–1924) - Harold P. WilliamsHarold P. WilliamsHarold Putnam Williams was an American attorney and judge who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1925 to 1926 and as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court from 1947 to 1962.-Early lfe:Williams was born on October 2, 1882 in...
(1925–1926) - Frederick H. TarrFrederick H. TarrFrederick H. Tarr was an American attorney and politician who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1904 to 1905, a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council from 1916 to 1918, and the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1926 to 1933.His...
(1926–1933) - Francis J. W. FordFrancis Ford (judge)Francis Joseph William Ford was a U.S. District Court Judge in Boston from 1933 to 1972, after serving briefly as senior judge during his final year of service....
(1933–1938) - John A. CanavanJohn A. CanavanJohn A. Canavan was an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1938 to 1939....
(1938–1939) - Edmund J. BrandonEdmund J. BrandonEdmund John Brandon was an American attorney and government official who served as the Administrator of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Boston Regional Office, Zone 1 in 1935 and as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1939 to 1946.-References:...
(1939–1946) - George F. GarrityGeorge F. GarrityGeorge F. Garrity is an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1946 to 1947 and again from 1949 to 1953....
(1946–1947) - William T. McCarthyWilliam T. McCarthyWilliam T. McCarthy was a United States federal judge.Born in Somerville, Massachusetts, McCarthy received an A.B. from Holy Cross College in 1905 and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1908. He was in private practice in Boston, Massachusetts from 1908 to the present...
(1947–1949) - George F. GarrityGeorge F. GarrityGeorge F. Garrity is an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1946 to 1947 and again from 1949 to 1953....
(1949–1953) - Anthony JulianAnthony JulianAnthony Julian was a United States federal judge.Julian received an A.B. from Boston College in 1925 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1929. He was in private practice in Boston, Massachusetts from 1929 to 1953. He was a member of the town counsel of Watertown, Massachusetts from 1930 to 1932...
(1953–1959) - Elliot RichardsonElliot RichardsonElliot Lee Richardson was an American lawyer and politician who was a member of the cabinet of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. As U.S...
(1959–1961) - Wendell Arthur Garrity Jr. (1961–1966)
- Paul F. MarkhamPaul F. MarkhamPaul F. Markham is an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1966 to 1969.-Early life:...
(1966–1969) - Herbert F. Travers, Jr.Herbert F. Travers, Jr.Herbert F. Travers, Jr. is an American attorney and judge who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1969 to 1971 and later served as a state court judge in Massachusetts....
(1969–1971) - James N. GabrielJames N. GabrielJames N. Gabriel was an American attorney and judge who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1971 to 1972 and again from 1973 to 1977. From 1977 to 1990 he was a United States bankruptcy court judge for the District of Massachusetts...
(1971–1972) - Joseph L. Tauro (1972)
- James N. GabrielJames N. GabrielJames N. Gabriel was an American attorney and judge who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1971 to 1972 and again from 1973 to 1977. From 1977 to 1990 he was a United States bankruptcy court judge for the District of Massachusetts...
(1973–1977) - Edward F. HarringtonEdward Francis HarringtonEdward Francis Harrington is a United States federal judge.-Early life:Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, Harrington received an A.B. from College of the Holy Cross in 1955 and a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1960. He was in the United States Navy Lieutenant, JAG Corps from 1955 to 1957....
(1977–1981) - William F. Weld (1981–1986)
- Robert MuellerRobert MuellerRobert Swan Mueller III is the 6th and current Director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation .-Early life:...
Acting (1986–1987) - Frank L. McNamara, Jr.Frank L. McNamara, Jr.Frank Luke McNamara, Jr. is an American attorney who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1987 to 1989.-Early life:...
(1987–1989) - Jermiah T. O'Sullivan Acting (1989)
- Peter A. Mullin Acting (1989)
- Wayne BuddWayne BuddWayne Budd is senior executive vice president and general counsel, U.S., of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a division of Manulife Financial. He joined Hancock in 2000 and directs all of the company's legal activities.Before joining Hancock, Mr...
(1989–1992) - A. John Pappalardo Acting (1992–1993)
- Donald K. SternDonald K. SternDonald K. Stern is an American attorney who served as the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts from 1993 to 2001. He was best known for prosecuting mob figures, including fugitive Winter Hill Gang leader James "Whitey" Bulger and his partner, Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi...
(1993–2001) - Michael Sullivan (2001–2009)
- Michael Loucks Acting (2009)
- Carmen Milagros Ortiz (2009–Present)
Notable cases
- Ghen v. RichGhen v. RichGhen v. Rich, 8 F. 159 , is a famous American property law case from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts involving ownership of a dead whale...
(1881) (a whale is the property of the whaler who killed it, and not the person who found it dead on the beach).
See also
- Courts of MassachusettsCourts of MassachusettsBefore 1978, all trial courts except the Land Court were county or local courts funded through the counties. The Massachusetts Trial Court was created by Chapter 478 of the Acts of 1978 that reorganized the courts into seven Trial Court Departments...
- List of United States federal courthouses in Massachusetts