Governor Baker Nominates Attorney Claudine A. Cloutier as Associate Justice of the Superior Court and Clerk Magistrate Kimberly M. Foster as Associate Justice of the District Court

Governor Baker Nominates Attorney Claudine A. Cloutier as Associate Justice of the Superior Court and Clerk Magistrate Kimberly M. Foster as Associate Justice of the District Court

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Baker nominated Attorney Claudine A. Cloutier as Associate Justice of the Superior Court and Clerk Magistrate Kimberly M. Foster as Associate Justice of the District Court.

 

“With the addition of these two nominees, the Massachusetts judiciary will receive two experienced candidates well-suited for their new roles,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am pleased to submit their nominations to the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent.”

 

“Attorney Cloutier and Clerk Magistrate Foster will bring diverse experiences to the judiciary if confirmed,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are proud to submit their nominations for consideration.”

 

The Superior Court, the trial court of general jurisdiction for Massachusetts, is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law. The Court's 82 justices sit in 20 courthouses in all 14 counties of the Commonwealth. The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $25,000 and in matters where equitable relief is sought. It also has original jurisdiction in actions including labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought, exclusive authority to convene medical malpractice tribunals, appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative proceedings, and may hold sittings for naturalization in any city or town. The Superior Court also has exclusive original jurisdiction of first-degree murder cases and original jurisdiction of all other crimes.

 

For more information about the Superior Court, please visit their homepage.

 

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.

 

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.

 

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.

 

About Claudine A. Cloutier

 

Claudine A. Cloutier began her legal career in 1995 as a law clerk for the Massachusetts Superior Court. Then, in 1996, Attorney Cloutier joined Keches Law Group, P.C., first as an associate until 2006. Attorney Cloutier was then named Tort Department Manager, and later named partner in 2007, and currently still holds both roles. Attorney Cloutier is an active member of the community, serving as a trustee of the Fall River High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, a board member at the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education through the Diocese of Fall River and a member of the Suffolk University Law School Dean’s Cabinet. She received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1992 and her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 1995.

 

About Kimberly M. Foster

 

Kimberly M. Foster began her career in the Massachusetts State Senate as a legislative aide for Senator Charlie E. Shannon in 1995. She then joined Hinckley, Allen and Snyder, LLP as a law clerk until 1999. Clerk Magistrate Foster then joined the City of Somerville’s Executive Office as an administrative aide to Mayor Dorothy A. Kelly Gay until her graduation from law school in 2001. Clerk Magistrate Foster then joined the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and served as an Assistant District Attorney until 2004, before joining the Law Offices of Petruccelli and Foster and specializing in all aspects of criminal defense. In 2012, Clerk Magistrate Foster was appointed Chairperson of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance’s Board of Appeal, where she served until her 2019 appointment as Clerk Magistrate of the Somerville District Court. She is also an active member of the community, founding the Scott C. Foster Metabolic Research Fund and volunteering at the Cambridge Youth Dance Company and the Somerville Youth Soccer League. Clerk Magistrate Foster received her bachelor’s degree from Boston University in 1997 and her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2001.