Gov. Baker Nominates Clerk Magistrate Kelley as Associate Justice of the District Court

In full transparency, the following is a press release from the Governor’s office submitted to SOURCE media.

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BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker yesterday, October 12, nominated Clerk Magistrate Michelle L. Kelley as Associate Justice of the District Court.

“Clerk Magistrate Kelley’s valuable knowledge and experience in the District Court will serve her well in her new role if confirmed,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud to submit her nomination for consideration.”

“Clerk Magistrate Kelley has years of experience in public service that makes her a well-qualified candidate for this position,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to the Governor’s Council’s advice and consent on this candidate.”

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The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth. 

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth’s diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

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Kelley began her legal career in 1995 as executive secretary to the Suffolk County District Attorney. From 1995 to 2006, Clerk Magistrate Kelley served as Assistant Clerk Magistrate for the Somerville District Court and from 2006 to 2016 as Assistant Clerk Magistrate for the Wrentham District Court.

Clerk Magistrate Kelley then worked as Acting Clerk Magistrate for the Uxbridge District Court before joining Wrentham District Court in 2016, where she has served since 2017 as Clerk Magistrate.

Early in her career, Clerk Magistrate Kelley also worked in the Massachusetts Legislature as both a page in the House of Representatives, and later as a legislative aide on the House Committee of Government Regulations. She has also spent many years as a part-time professor at Curry College teaching business and labor law.

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An active member of her community, she serves on the SAFE Coalition Board of Directors and volunteers with the Healthy KP Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, both of which aim to assist individuals and families struggling with alcohol and substance abuse. She also volunteers at the Hockomock Area YMCA and at King Philip Regional High School as part of football program’s Gridiron organization.

She is also a member of the Tri-County Vocational Technical High School Advisory Board, where she assists students in the legal and protective services major.

Clerk Magistrate Kelley received her bachelor’s degree from Emerson College in 1990, her master’s in business from Suffolk University in 1993 and her juris doctorate from New England School of Law in 1997.

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