Gov. Baker Nominates Kelleher & Mitchell-Munevar as Associate Justices of the Housing Court

the following is a press release from the Massachusetts Governor’s office submitted to SOURCE media.

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BOSTON — Today, July 15, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker nominated Joseph E. Kelleher, III and Alexander Mitchell-Munevar as Associate Justices of the Housing Court. Attorneys Kelleher and Mitchell-Munevar have more than 40 years of combined legal experience.

“The many cases pertaining to housing tried by Attorneys Kelleher and Mitchell-Munevar have prepared them well to serve as Associate Justices of the Housing Court,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am pleased to submit these qualified candidates to the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent.”

“Over their careers and in their communities, Attorneys Kelleher and Mitchell-Munevar have shown a deep commitment to public service,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, I am confident that both will continue to serve the Commonwealth as Associate Justices of the Housing Court.”

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The Housing Court Department is a statewide court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal actions, including equitable relief, which involve the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or owners of residential housing. The Court hears summary process (eviction) cases, small claims cases, and civil actions involving personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, discrimination, and other claims. The Housing Court also hears code enforcement actions and appeals of local zoning board decisions that affect residential housing.

The Housing Court has 15 judges authorized to serve its 6 divisions – Central, Eastern, Northeast, Southeast, Western, and Metro South – and conducts sessions in over 20 locations every week.

If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Attorney Kelleher will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Ann Chaplin, and Attorney Mitchell-Munevar will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Fairlie Dalton.

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.

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Kelleher, III began his legal career in 1995 as an Associate Attorney for Lavien & Tveekrum, where he primarily focused on litigation with discovery related tasks and performed real estate title work and closings. He then joined Smith, Brink, Smith & Cullen as an Associate in February of 1997, representing creditors in all aspects of litigation including discovery and trials, before joining Kraus & Hummel as an Associate in August of 1997. There, Attorney Kelleher performed all aspects of litigation in general practice, including trials, and conducted numerous residential and commercial real estate closings.

In 2001, he joined Williams & Mahone, where he managed nine attorneys and handled individual cases in matters pertaining to subrogation and insurance defense. In 2002, Attorney Kelleher returned to Kraus & Hummel as a Partner, where he continues to practice civil litigation with an emphasis on real estate and landlord-tenant matters.

Outside of his legal work, Attorney Kelleher is an active member of his community, serving as Chair of the Marshfield Board of Selectmen since 2017, and as a member of the Marshfield Zoning Board of Appeals from 2004 to 2017. He earned his Juris Doctorate from New England School of Law, and his Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College.

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Mitchell-Munevar has spent almost his entire legal career with Greater Boston Legal Services. Beginning in 2002, he served in the Family Law Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services, where he represented custodial parents and families who were victims of domestic violence. Attorney Mitchell-Munevar then joined the Employment & Tax Law Unit, providing representation and advocacy to low-income clients in matters involving state wage and hour violations. From 2005 to 2008, he served in the Elder Unit, representing elders in matters including summary process evictions, termination and denial of public benefits, and bankruptcy.

Since 2008, Attorney Mitchell-Munevar has served in the Housing Unit, where he provides representation to families facing eviction, represents individuals facing loss of tenant based vouchers, and assists families being denied access to state emergency shelter.

Before joining Greater Boston Legal Services, Attorney Mitchell-Munevar briefly served as a Volunteer Clerk for the Honorable Angela M. Ordonez of the Probate and Family Court, and served as an Associate concentrating on Civil Litigation for the Law Office of Harvey Bazile. In addition to his legal work, Attorney Mitchell-Munevar is a co-founding member of the Salem Latino Leadership Coalition, and volunteers for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.

He earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School, and his Bachelor’s Degree from College of the Holy Cross.​

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