Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan has
announced the reappointment of Chief Justice Steven D. Pierce to the Housing
Court for a five-year term, in accordance with G.L. c.211B, §5. Chief
Justice Pierce first became Chief Justice in 2006 and has served on the Housing
Court since 2003. He previously served as Executive Director of the
Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency.
Chief Justice Mulligan said, "I am pleased to announce the reappointment of
Chief Justice Steven Pierce. Under his able leadership the Housing Court
has instituted a wide range of management changes to increase accountability and
transparency. As co-chair of the Trial Court's Fiscal Task Force and Court
Relocation Committee, Chief Justice Pierce also been instrumental in our
comprehensive efforts to reduce expenses and avoid layoffs."
He noted that the Housing Court was the first Trial Court department to
introduce the full version of MassCourts software in multiple locations and
through its case management efforts has reduced the number of aged cases from
over 21,000 at the end of 2006 to 1,741 at the end of 2009.
Chief Justice Pierce said, "The judges, clerk-magistrates, housing
specialists, court personnel and the bar have ensured the Housing Court's
success over the last five years. I greatly value their daily commitment
and dedication to ensuring the delivery of justice across the state,
particularly in these challenging fiscal times. I appreciate this
opportunity to extend collaborations within the court and with our many
community stakeholders."
The Housing Court Department is comprised of five Divisions with 10
authorized judicial positions across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts
Trial Court includes seven court departments with 379 judges who deliver justice
in 103 courthouses across the state