LYNN — Lynn District Court may soon be getting a new clerk magistrate.
Gov. Charlie Baker announced the nomination of Michael F. Hogan for the post, which was occupied by Brian Sullivan until his retirement earlier this month.
“Attorney Hogan’s unique perspective and experience in public service and criminal justice makes him well-qualified to serve as clerk magistrate,” said Baker. “I am pleased to submit his nomination to the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent.”
Clerk magistrates act as administrators, overseeing the processing of arrests and warrants, along with presiding over court sessions, appeals, and hearings.
Hogan has more than 25 years of experience in the criminal justice system. He has been a practicing attorney for 22 years and was a member of the Massachusetts State Police for 25 years.
He graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Academy in 1985, completed graduate coursework in criminal justice at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in 1993 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Westfield State College in 1985 and J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1998.
He began practicing law in 1999 for Hogan, Roache & Malone, a Boston-based law firm. In 2008, he went to work for Manzi, McCann, Baddour, & Nierman, a Lawrence-based law firm, and then transitioned to his own practice in 2012.
Hogan served as a member of the Massachusetts State Police in a variety of roles and cross-agency specialties, retiring as a sergeant in 2010.
He is currently the assistant clerk magistrate of the Malden District Court, a role he was appointed to in 2014.
“For nearly three decades, Attorney Hogan has committed himself to the justice system and to serving his community,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed, Attorney Hogan will bring extensive knowledge and experience to the Lynn District Court.”
Sullivan, another long-time veteran of the criminal justice system, who previously worked as a probation officer in Chelsea District Court and as the court magistrate of Chelsea District Court, became clerk magistrate of Lynn District Court in 2018.
Since his retirement, Rachel Hickey has been the acting clerk magistrate.
Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor.
Baker established the JNC in February 2015, a non-partisan, non-political commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth’s diverse population to screen judicial applications.
