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Serge Georges Jr.
Serge Georges Jr. is a judge of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. He assumed office on December 16, 2020.
Georges first became a member of the court through gubernatorial appointment. He was nominated by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker on November 17, 2020, to replace Justice Kimberly S. Budd, who was elevated to chief justice.[1] He was unanimously confirmed by the Massachusetts Governor's Council on December 9, 2020, and was sworn in on December 16, 2020.[2][3] To read more about judicial selection in Massachusetts, click here.
| Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court |
|---|
|
| Court Information |
| Justices: 7 |
| Founded: 1692 |
| Location: Boston |
| Salary |
| Associates: $226,187[4] |
| Judicial Selection |
| Method: Gubernatorial appointment of judges |
| Term: Until 70 years of age |
| Active justices |
| Kimberly S. Budd, Elizabeth Dewar, Frank M. Gaziano, Serge Georges Jr., Scott L. Kafker, Dalila Wendlandt, Gabrielle R. Wolohojian |
Biography
Georges earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College in 1992, and his J.D. in 1996 from Suffolk University Law School.[5] He began his legal career in 1996 as an attorney with Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster. From 1996 to 2013, Georges worked for several different law firms, including Todd & Weld and Barron & Stadfield. He has worked as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University Law School since 2000 and at Massachusetts School of Law since 2019.
Governor Deval Patrick appointed Georges as an associate justice of the Boston Municipal Court in 2013. In 2020, he was appointed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Charlie Baker on December 16, 2020.[5][6][7] Georges is a former president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and a former member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers[6][5]
Appointments
The section below details Georges' judicial appointments throughout his career.
Massachusetts Supreme Court (2020-present)
See also: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court justice vacancy (September 2020)
On November 17, 2020, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) nominated Georges to the Massachusetts Supreme Court to replace Kimberly S. Budd, who was elevated to chief justice.[6] The Governor’s Council unanimously confirmed Georges to the Massachusetts Supreme Court on December 9, 2020.[2]
| “ | Judge Georges has served on the Boston Municipal Court with great distinction and treats all those that come before him with dignity and respect. His unique voice and real world experiences will improve the quality of discussion and debate on the Commonwealth’s highest court and I am pleased to nominate him. - Governor Charlie Baker[8] | ” |
Boston Municipal Court (2013-2020)
On September 25, 2013, Gov. Deval Patrick (D) nominated Georges to the Boston Municipal Courts, Roxbury Division in Suffolk County, Massachusetts.[5] Georges was confirmed by the Governor's Council and took the oath of office on November 14, 2013.[5][9] Georges served in this position until his supreme court appointment in 2020.[1]
Noteworthy cases
Noteworthy cases may be selected due to their impact on legal precedent, substantial media attention, or overlaps with another area of editorial interest at Ballotpedia. To suggest cases we should cover here, email us.
State supreme court judicial selection in Massachusetts
- See also: Judicial selection in Massachusetts
The seven justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court are appointed by the governor with the approval of the Governor's Council. The Governor's Council is constitutionally authorized and advises the governor on government affairs in Massachusetts. The council is composed of eight members and is elected biennially by the voters. Judges on the supreme court serve until the mandatory retirement age of 70.[10]
Qualifications
Judges of this court must be under the age of 70.[10]
Chief justice
The chief justice is also appointed by the governor with council approval, serving until age 70 as well.[10]
Vacancies
Vacancies on the supreme court are filled by the governor with the approval of the Governor's Council. Judges serve until the mandatory retirement age of 70.[10]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Boston Herald, "Charlie Baker nominates Boston Municipal Court Judge Serge Georges Jr. to state’s top court," November 17, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mass Live, "Serge Georges Jr. unanimously confirmed to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court," December 9, 2020
- ↑ MassLive.com, "‘I won’t let you down’: Serge Georges Jr., Boston Municipal Court judge, sworn into Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court," December 16, 2020
- ↑ The salary of the chief justice may be higher than an associate justice.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 MassLive, "Serge Georges Jr. unanimously confirmed to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court," December 9, 2020
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mass.gov, "Governor Baker Nominates Judge Serge Georges Jr. to the Supreme Judicial Court," November 17, 2020
- ↑ Mass.gov, "Serge Georges Jr.," accessed December 17, 2020
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Boston Bar Association, "MBLA President Serge Georges Confirmed as Judge of Boston Municipal Court," November 2013
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Massachusetts," accessed August 25, 2021
Federal courts:
First Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Massachusetts • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Massachusetts
State courts:
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court • Massachusetts Appeals Court • Massachusetts Superior Courts • Massachusetts District Courts • Massachusetts Housing Courts • Massachusetts Juvenile Courts • Massachusetts Land Courts • Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts • Boston Municipal Courts, Massachusetts
State resources:
Courts in Massachusetts • Massachusetts judicial elections • Judicial selection in Massachusetts
