Appointments Follow Letter From Lawmakers Last Month
Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday nominated two new Superior Court judges, both of whom her office pointed out live in western Massachusetts, after a group of 20 lawmakers called on the governor to fill several vacant seats in the area.
She nominated Judge Charles Groce III and attorney Jeffrey Trapani to serve as associate justices of the Superior Court.
Groce has been an associate justice of the District Court for 13 years, currently serving as the first justice of the Westfield District Court. He also serves as the presiding justice of the Court Assisted Supervised Treatment Program in the Springfield District Court, a specialty court aimed at reducing recidivism by promoting rehabilitation, treatment, and healing for those affected by substance use disorder. Groce is also an adjunct professor at UMass Amherst.
Trapani has “represented individuals, public officials and employees, and municipalities in the defense of personal injury, employment discrimination, and civil rights claims for nearly two decades,” according to Healey’s office. He’s currently a partner with Pierce Davis & Perritano LLP out of Holyoke, and previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Suffolk County.
Last month, western Massachusetts lawmakers sent a letter to the Healey administration calling for her to fill vacant judicial seats in that region of the state. They said four of the 11 Superior Court judge positions in that area were unfilled, as well as a District Court position in the Berkshires. They said even with retired judges being recalled to fill in, court dates were getting delayed and backed up.
In a statement announcing Groce and Trapani’s nomination’s Healey pointed out that they are from western Massachusetts.
“Both of these nominees are exceptional stewards of justice. Over the course of their respective careers, they’ve been able to bring empathy and consideration to the Court while delivering for the people of Western Massachusetts,” Healey said. “We look forward to working with the Governor’s Council to seek confirmation of these two nominees.”
