July 18, 2017

Senators Warren and Markey Re-Convene Bipartisan Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Judicial Nominations

Senators Warren and Markey Re-Convene Bipartisan Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Judicial Nominations 

Governor Baker and Mass. Bar Association Praise Addition of Newest Committee Member, Who Previously Oversaw Judicial Selection as Aide to Governor Romney

Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey announced today that the bipartisan Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Judicial Nominations will re-convene to consider applications for two pending federal judicial vacancies in Boston, Massachusetts. Candidates interested in applying for a U.S. District Court nomination must submit their applications to the Advisory Committee by August 18, 2017.

The Advisory Committee, first appointed in March 2013, solicits, interviews, and comments on applications for federal District Court vacancies. The Advisory Committee is comprised of distinguished members of the Massachusetts legal community, including prominent academics and litigators, and is chaired by former District Court Judge Nancy Gertner.

The Committee welcomes its newest member, Elissa Flynn-Poppey, who will replace Camille Nelson, former Dean of Suffolk University Law School. Flynn-Poppey brings extensive bipartisan experience to the process of judicial selection, having previously served as Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Romney and as Executive Director of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts.  

"I'm glad to join Senator Markey in reconvening the Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Judicial Nominations, and I am very pleased to welcome Elissa Flynn-Poppey to the committee. Elissa brings valuable expertise to this bipartisan process," Senator Warren said. "The bipartisan Advisory Committee plays an important role ensuring that federal courts in Massachusetts are comprised of highly qualified and fair-minded judges. I look forward to receiving the committee's recommendations."

"I thank the dedicated men and women on this Advisory Committee, including newest member Elissa Flynn-Poppey, who are willing to commit their time and expertise for the benefit of Massachusetts," said Senator Markey. "Their participation is a critical part of the nomination process and will help ensure judicial vacancies are filled efficiently and by qualified individuals who hold the esteem and respect of peers, colleagues and their communities."

"Elissa Flynn-Poppey is an accomplished attorney with an established career of serving the public in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," noted Governor Charlie Baker. "As a valued advisor and legal counsel for elected officials at various levels of government, Elissa played a pivotal role in the judicial nomination process for Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and this experience will be an asset to the bipartisan committee."

"Attorney Flynn-Poppey is a prominent practitioner who has the ear of the state's top political leaders due to her outstanding legal skills and unique political acumen," said Martin W. Healy, Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer to the statewide Massachusetts Bar Association. "She has worked as a close legal and policy advisor to a number of powerful office holders, including Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, for whom she currently serves as personal counsel. As Deputy Legal Counsel to former Governor Mitt Romney and his Judicial Nominating Commission, attorney Flynn-Poppey demonstrated her innate ability to work across partisan lines to select highly qualified applicants -- many of whom have gone on to distinguished judicial careers."

Applications for Boston vacancies are reviewed by Massachusetts attorneys Pamela Berman, Jack Corrigan, Marianne LeBlanc, Willard P. Ogburn, Walter Prince, Sue Reid, and Georgia Katsoulomitis. In addition to these individuals, Judge Gertner and Elissa Flynn-Poppey, Professor Mary Sarah Bilder of Boston College Law School, Professor Andrew Kaufman of Harvard Law School, and attorney Mike Mone representing the Massachusetts Bar Association will review all applications.

Interested candidates may access an application here, and questions may be directed to Judge Gertner at GertnerCommittee@gmail.com. Applications must be completed and received by August 18, 2017.

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