From top to bottom: Hon. Kimberly Budd, Hon. Frank M. Gaziano and Hon. David A. Lowy.
With the Governor's Council's unanimous confirmation of Hon.
Kimberly Budd to the Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday, Aug. 10,
all three of Gov. Charlie Baker's SJC nominees have been cleared to
fill the upcoming vacancies at the state's highest court. Hon.
Frank M. Gaziano was previously confirmed on July 13, and Hon.
David A. Lowy was confirmed on July 27 -- both unanimously.
"I congratulate Judge Budd and Judges Frank Gaziano and David Lowy
as we look forward to the impartiality and hard work they will
bring to the Commonwealth's highest court from decades of judicial
practice," said Gov. Charlie Baker. "We further offer our thanks
and appreciation to the Governor's Council for their measured,
timely and thorough examination and unanimous approval of all three
confirmed nominees."
The Massachusetts Bar Association applauded the selection of
Judges Budd, Gaziano and Lowy in June when the governor first
announced his nominations.
"Presented with a unique opportunity to shape the commonwealth's
highest court in his first term, Governor Baker has made an
impressive opening statement with the nomination of three highly
regarded Superior Court judges," said Massachusetts Bar Association
Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer Martin W. Healy.
"While each brings his or her own strengths, all the nominees are
trial-tested judges who have proven their mettle in court -- both
from the bench and in their previous legal practices. The SJC
should benefit immediately from the elevation of this trio of
experienced trial judges, who share a prescient understanding of
the legal issues that are likely to appear before the court."
About the justices:
Hon. Kimberly Budd has served as an associate
justice in the Massachusetts Superior Court for the past six years,
appointed by Gov. Deval L. Patrick in 2009. She was responsible for
overseeing the management and administration of the criminal
business in Middlesex County. Prior to her appointment, Budd's
career has spanned the private, public and academic sectors. Click here to learn more.
Hon. Frank M. Gaziano served as an associate
justice in the Massachusetts Superior Court for the past 12 years,
appointed by Gov. Willard Mitt Romney in 2004. He was the chair of
the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Criminal Rules, a
member of the Supreme Judicial Court Model Homicide Instruction
Committee, and a member of the Trial Court Committees on Bail,
Evidence Retention and Storage, and Security. Prior to his
appointment, Gaziano served as a federal prosecutor and first
assistant United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
from 2001 to 2004. Click here to learn more.
Hon. David. A. Lowy served as an associate
justice in the Massachusetts Superior Court for the past 15 years
and was nominated by Gov. Paul Cellucci in 2001. Prior to that, he
served as associate justice in the District Court for four years.
With extensive experience in academia, he has been an adjunct
professor of law at Boston University School of Law since 2006 and
at New England Law Boston since 1991. He was also an adjunct
professor at Suffolk University Law School for 11 years. Before
serving in the District Court, Lowy served as an assistant district
attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office as a
member of the Gang Unit. Click here to learn more.