LYNN — Brian Sullivan, who retired from his role as Lynn District Court clerk magistrate this week after 35 years of service, found that the most valuable part of his job was helping others.
“They built the district courts in neighborhoods for a reason,” he said. “Because we’re in the people-helping business. And that’s what I liked about it the best.”
Sullivan grew up in Chelsea, where he began his career in the courts.
“My father was part of the administration at Soldiers’ Home for 30 years and my mother was a 30-year teacher in the city,” said Sullivan. “So public service was in my blood, I guess.”
From 1986 to 1999, Sullivan worked as a probation officer in the Chelsea District Court, managing a caseload of nearly 100 probationers, performing investigations assisting the court in sentencing, and serving as a liaison between district court judges and attorneys.
One story that stands out to Sullivan from his years of public service came during this time as a probation officer, when he discovered that one of the men he was working with was illiterate.
He offered to help the man learn to read, borrowing some materials from his mother, who was a second grade teacher, and taking him through the basics of the alphabet.
He would walk with the man around the city, pointing at signs and asking him to read them out loud. Eventually, the man’s literacy progressed to a point that he could fill out a job application, and he got employed as a maintenance worker.
In 1999, Sullivan became assistant clerk magistrate in the Chelsea District Court, managing courtroom sessions and presiding over show-cause and motor vehicle hearings and issuing warrants.
In 2017, Sullivan began serving as clerk magistrate pro-tempore of the Cambridge District Court, before being appointed to the clerk magistrate position at Lynn District Court by Gov. Charlie Baker in 2018.
“I was ecstatic when he came to Lynn,” said State Representative Dan Cahill (D-Lynn) who worked with Sullivan both as an attorney and as an elected representative.
“I can tell you that he has the best reputation around. Nobody has a bad word to say about him. He’s a tremendously hardworking person who finds solutions to problems. He’s a problem solver.
“The public may not realize that a lot of folks in the court system are trying to help. They’re not just pushing paper — they’re dealing with real life issues. Brian went above and beyond to make sure those issues were solved.”
As the clerk magistrate, Sullivan served as an administrator, overseeing the processing of arrests and warrants, along with presiding over court sessions, appeals, and hearings.
Sullivan took pride in his career of service.
“I’ve spent 35 years helping people. I don’t care who they are, what their situation is,” said Sullivan. “If people need a leg up, I’ll just do it.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the job was working with the hub, a collaborative crime-reduction model based on Chelsea Hub, which focuses on providing services to at-risk individuals before tragedy occurs.
“I have to say that it really moved me,” he said. “It was really fun and rewarding to do that. I know that the hub changed lives.”
Unfortunately, he reported, with the pandemic, the group had to stop meeting.
“What sticks in my mind in Lynn is how everyone comes together and helps one another,” he said.
In retirement, Sullivan hopes to spend time with his family, while figuring out his next move.
Rachel Hickey has been appointed the acting clerk magistrate of the Lynn District Court until a permanent clerk is appointed by the governor.
“Brian has had a tremendous career with over 35 years in the trial court. He has brought much experience, knowledge, camaraderie and humor to the halls of every district court that he has worked,” said Hickey.
“His legacy will include treating everyone with the dignity and respect that they deserve and dispensing equal justice for all, consistent with the mission of the trial court. He will be greatly missed as part of our trial court family.”
