Worcester lawyer confirmed to Superior Court

Hamilton began her career with CPCS as a staff attorney in Worcester and Fall River and later became senior trial counsel for the Western Region.

At a pre-confirmation hearing, the double graduate of Northeastern University told councilors she was the first college graduate in her family and recalled the impression left on her by one Northeastern professor — former Gov. Michael Dukakis.

“When I spoke with him about law school, he pushed me to pursue a career in public interest law,” Hamilton told councilors. “And he’s the person who first told me what a public defender was, and explained that I could have a legal career devoted to public service where I helped real people with real problems.”

Worcester attorney Maura J. Tansley, a partner at Tansley Halloran, and Worcester County prosecutor Paul F. Bolton voiced their support for the nominee at the hearing.

“It’s great to see a public defender elevated to the bench, especially one who has support from the District Attorney’s Office,” Worcester-area Councilor Paul M. DePalo said. “And we’ve been waiting for a woman on Superior Court in Worcester for quite some time, so that’s an added bonus of this nominee.”

Hamilton raised at least one set of eyebrows at the hearing because of her age.

“First of all, you’re 42,” said Councilor Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney. “OK, almost 30 years you’ll be on the bench. How are you going to keep yourself up to par, and up with everything?”

Hamilton said developments in case law, developments in science and technology, and opportunities in the legal profession such as mentoring can all help her “stay engaged.”

“Serving the public has been a priority of my professional life. For me, being an associate justice of the Superior Court will be the ultimate act of public service to the commonwealth and to my community in Worcester in particular,” she said.

Devaney voted for Hamilton on Sept. 25, saying that the nominee had assuaged her initial concerns about age.

“I really think she has it all and she has the experience and the qualifications, so I’m pleased to vote for her today,” Devaney said.

See also:

• Governor nominates Appeals Court chief justice
• Gov’s Councilor Devaney says she’s leaving with head held high