Land Court

3 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 788-7470

Judicial Biography

Born:

1941

Year admitted to bar:

1965

Year appointed/elected:

2002, by Gov. Jane M. Swift

Background

Education:

Suffolk University Law School, 1965
College of the Holy Cross, 1962

Military Service:

U.S. Army Reserves (1965-1971)

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Recorder, Land Court Department (1984-2002)
First assistant clerk, Land Court Department (1978-1984)
Assistant clerk, Land Court Department (1970-1978)
Deputy assistant clerk, Land Court Department (1965-1970)

Civic and Community Activities

Memberships/Affiliations:

Massachusetts Conveyancers 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:	4.0	3.7	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	4.0	3.7	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	0.0	0.0	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	0.0	4.0	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	4.0	3.7	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	4.0	3.6	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	4.0	3.7	3.2
b) lawyers:	4.0	3.7	3.0
c) court staff:	4.0	3.9	3.5
Attentiveness:	4.0	3.7	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	3.5	3.3	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	4.0	3.7	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	3.5	3.5	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	4.0	3.8	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	4.0	4.0	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	4.0	4.0	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	4.0	3.7	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	4.0	3.9	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	4.0	3.8	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	3.5	3.5	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	0	40	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	0	50	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	0	33	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	0	24

Comments

1) I would advise anyone appearing before Judge Trombly to clearly state and present their argument. I would strongly suggest that they spend more time in preparing their case.

2) Judge Trombley is a good and keen listener and is able to absorb and process information from both sides of a dispute. He is clear and concise in his reasoning and is able to impart this to his rulings. He also demonstrates good common sense in arriving at his decisions.
I do not have any suggestions for improvement.

Judicial Profiles

Tormbly Jr., Charles W. (retired)