James E. Byrne, a Dorchester-based attorney and former Boston city councillor with substantial courtroom experience, has been nominated by Gov. Charlie Baker to serve as a judge in the Chelsea District Court.
According to Gov. Baker, “His legal experience and leadership skills make him an exceptional candidate that I am pleased to nominate for the Governor’s Council’s consideration.” “James Byrne is a distinguished and dedicated attorney with many years of public service, including as a Boston City Councilor.”
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito remarked, “With 35 years of experience James Bryne has the temperament, skill and knowledge of civil and criminal law to serve well all those who will appear in the District Court.”
For 35 years, Byrne has maintained a private practice and serves as a founding partner at Byrne and Anderson LLP, where his work centers on civil litigation matters including personal injury, licensing, zoning and real estate. Between 1984 and 1994, he represented Boston as a City Councilor for five consecutive terms, serving as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, the Housing Committee, and the Planning and Development Committee. His legal career started in 1981 when he worked as Director of Legal Services for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department before establishing his private practice, where he initially concentrated on criminal defense. From 1997 to 2008, Byrne served on the Board of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. He maintains membership in the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). A Boston Latin School graduate, Byrne earned his B.A. in Government cum laude from Harvard College in 1976 and his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 1980. He lives in Dorchester with his wife Jacqueline and their three children.
The Commonwealth operates 62 District Courts that handle various case types including criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, and mental health matters. These courts have jurisdiction over all felonies punishable by sentences up to five years, misdemeanors, and violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws.
The Governor’s Council must provide advice and consent for judicial nominations to proceed. The Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), established by Governor Baker in February 2015 under Executive Order 558, reviews applications for judicial openings and makes recommendations to the governor. This non-partisan, non-political Commission comprises volunteers representing the Commonwealth’s diverse population. Twenty-one members were appointed to the JNC in April 2015.