GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES NOMINATIONS TO THE DISTRICT AND PROBATE AND FAMILY COURTS
"These nominees have a long-standing commitment to public service and to justice," Governor Patrick said. "They will bring to the bench a unique combination of passion, knowledge and life experience."
Judge Martine Carroll is a seventeen-year veteran of the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). She began her legal career with Smith, Sullivan, Carroll, Valentine and Malay as an in-house trial attorney for St. Paul Insurance Company. In this role, she tried cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability and workers' compensation. In 1992 she was appointed to the position of Administrative Justice of the DIA. She later was elevated to the appellate position of Administrative Law Judge and then, in 2007, was again elevated to the position of Senior Judge and Head of the Division of Dispute Resolution. A resident of Newton, Judge Carroll is a graduate of Boston University and New England School of Law. If confirmed, she will fill the vacancy on the Lawrence District Court created by the retirement of the Honorable Kevin M. Herlihy.
Colonel George F. Phelan currently serves the State Department in Iraq as Rule of Law Advisor in the Sadr City section of Baghdad. He began his legal career on active duty with the Army's JAG Corps before founding a private solo practice in Fall River, where he focused on civil matters in the probate and family courts. He is well known for his expertise in elder law and has served for many years as an adjunct law professor and frequent lecturer on the subject. Phelan also has served since 1983 as a Military Attorney in the Army Reserve where his duties include serving as a prosecutor, defense attorney, equal opportunity officer and legal advisor to the Commanding General of New England's Reserve forces. In addition, Phelan has demonstrated a long-time commitment to the advancement of women's rights. This year he received the State Department's Swanee Hunt Award for his active role in advancing women's issues in Baghdad by developing several women's NGOs, establishing five comprehensive women's centers and organizing numerous legal education seminars. A resident of Fall River, Phelan holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of City Planning from Ohio State University, a J.D. from New England School of Law and a LLM in Taxation from Boston University Law School. If confirmed, he will fill the vacancy on the Nantucket Probate and Family Court created by the nomination of the Honorable Angela M. Ordonez to the Norfolk Probate and Family Court.