Governor
Baker Nominates Sylvia Gomes as Associate Justice of the Juvenile Court, and
Michael D. Anderson as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court
BOSTON — Today, Governor
Charlie Baker nominated Sylvia Gomes as Associate Justice of the Juvenile
Court, and Michael D. Anderson as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family
Court. Attorneys Gomes and Anderson have more than 50 years of combined
legal experience.
“The
many cases that Attorneys Gomes and Anderson have tried over their decades of
experience have prepared them well to serve as Associate Justices of the
Juvenile Court and the Probate and Family Court," said Governor
Charlie Baker. "I am pleased to submit these qualified candidates
to the Governor's Council for their advice and consent."
“Throughout
their careers, Attorneys Gomes and Anderson have demonstrated a commitment
to both public service and the families of the Commonwealth," said
Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "If confirmed by the Governor's Council, I
am confident that they will maintain that commitment as Associate Justices of
the Juvenile Court and the Probate and Family Court."
The Juvenile Court Department is a
statewide court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters including
delinquencies, care and protections, youthful offender cases and children
requiring assistance. The Juvenile Court's mission is to protect children from
abuse and neglect, to strengthen families, to rehabilitate juveniles and to
protect the public from delinquent and criminal behavior. The Juvenile Court
has over 40 judges, including Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem, in over 40
locations. If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Attorney Gomes will fill the
seat vacated by the Honorable Mary M. McCallum.
For more information
about the Juvenile Court, please visit their homepage.
The Probate and Family Court
Department has jurisdiction over family-related and probate matters such as
divorce, paternity, child support, custody, parenting time, adoption,
termination of parental rights, abuse prevention and wills, estates, trusts,
guardianships, conservatorships, and changes of name. The Probate and Family
Court has over 40 judges, including Chief Justice John D. Casey. If confirmed
by the Governor’s Council, Attorney Anderson will fill the seat vacated by the
Honorable Randy J. Kaplan.
For more information
on the Probate & Family Court, please 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
Sylvia Gomes
Sylvia Gomes began her
legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the Bristol County District
Attorney's Office in 1996, where she prepared and conducted criminal trials on
behalf of the Commonwealth for 3 years. In 1999, she joined the Massachusetts Department
of Children and Families' Southeast Regional Office as Assistant Regional
Counsel, preparing and conducting civil trials involving
juveniles. She has served in this role for more than 20 years. Prior
to practicing law, Attorney Gomes spent 2 years as a Probation Officer in New
Bedford and worked one year as an Investigator for the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney
General. In addition to her legal work, Attorney Gomes is a board member of the
Cape Verdean Recognition Committee, the Bristol County Commission on the
Status of Women and the New Bedford Community Preservation Act Committee,
and serves as Co-Chair of the Martha Briggs Educational
Club Scholarship. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Howard University
School of Law, and her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts
at Amherst.
About
Michael D. Anderson
Michael D. Anderson began
his legal career in 1991 as an attorney at McLellan & Zack in Boston, where
he concentrated primarily on family law for more than 9 years. In 2000, he
opened the Law Office of Michael D. Anderson in Woburn, which he
has managed and operated for the last 20 years. In his private practice,
Attorney Anderson has continued to focus on family law, providing
representation to clients on matters before the Probate and Family Court. He
also has represented a civil engineering and design firm as outside
corporate counsel, and serves as Clerk of the company. In addition to
his legal practice, Attorney Anderson was elected and is in his fifth term
as an Alderman of the City of Woburn, and currently serves as
the City Council President. He has also published four books on family
law. Attorney Anderson earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law
School, and his Bachelor's Degree from Trinity College.
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