Judge

Superior Court

Three Pemberton Sq.
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: 978-744-4681 x 3029

Judicial Biography

Born:

1951, Winthrop

Year admitted to bar:

1977

Year appointed/elected:

1992, by Gov. William F. Weld

Background

Education:

Suffolk University Law School, 1976
Suffolk University, 1972

Publications:

Mass. Bar Association: District Court Survival Guide

Mass. School of Law – Law Review: Case Flow Management

Mass. School of Law – Law Review: Crawford v. Washington

Book reviewer, Mass. Lawyers Weekly

Participation as a Faculty Member or Lecturer:

Adjunct professor, Massachusetts School of Law
Massachusetts Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Sole practitioner, Saugus (1983-1992)
Assistant commissioner/director, Division of Hearings, Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare (1981-1983)
Town adminstrator, Town of Saugus (1979-81)
Assistant district attorney/director, intake screening program, Essex County District Attorney’s Office (1978)

General Character of Law Practice Prior to Judgeship:

Major area of concentration: Property law, Land use planning & development, Administrative and agency law

Civic and Community Activities

Appointive or Elective Positions Held:

Regional Administrative Justice (1998-2004);
First Justice (1995-2009);
Trial Court Committee Assments: Massachusetts Project on Innovative Jury Trial Techniques (1997-2000); Drug Courts Protocol (Chair); Civil Circuit Administrator, Region II, Task Force on Courts’ Administration, assignments: Lynn District Court, Springfield District Court, New Bedford District Court, Quincy District Court

Member and chairman, Saugus Planning Board (1978);
Town clerk and town manager, Town of Saugus (1979-1981);
Assistant commissioner, Department of Public Welfare (1981-1983).

Honors:

Suffolk University Alumni Association award recipient; Suffolk University Law School Trustees’ Scholarship Recipient

Memberships/Affiliations:

Essex County Bar Association;
Massachusetts Bar Association;
Massachusetts Bar Foundation;
Suffolk University Alumni Association;

Reported Decisions
Other Links

Evaluations from Lawyers

4 = Excellent 3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor

	rating	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Manages court time in a way that minimizes waiting around:	3.0	3.0	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	3.7	3.7	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	3.7	3.7	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	3.7	3.7	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	3.5	3.5	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	3.8	3.8	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	4.0	4.0	3.2
b) lawyers:	4.0	4.0	3.0
c) court staff:	4.0	4.0	3.5
Attentiveness:	4.0	4.0	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	3.8	3.8	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	3.8	3.8	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	3.8	3.8	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	3.8	3.8	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	3.8	3.8	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	3.3	3.3	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	3.8	3.8	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	3.5	3.5	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	3.5	3.5	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	3.7	3.7	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	50	50	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	100	100	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	50	50	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	0	24

Comments

1) If it can be said in 10 minutes or less do it – hell give you forever to talk, but dont do it unless necessary to protect the record.

2) Judge Cornetta is definitely pro-time standards. Youll get one continuance on each side and any additional continuances are hard to get absent extreme circumstances

3) Youll get a fair hearing.

4) Thoughtful. Decisive. Sees through ridiculous arguments. Moves case along. Excellent judge.

5) Does not make “hard decisions” well, will take an less-contentious course of action or will make the decision off the bench in chambers or after a period in which the matter is “under advisement.” Find a way to make your chosen course of action the easier, smoother decision.

Judicial Profiles

Cornetta, Robert A. (retired)