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United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

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United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Court nameUnited States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
CaptionThe John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston
EstablishedSeptember 24, 1789
JurisdictionMassachusetts
Appeals toUnited States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
ChiefjudgenameF. Dennis Saylor IV
Official sitehttps://www.mad.uscourts.gov/

United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts is a federal court with jurisdiction over the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is one of the original thirteen courts established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, and its judges have presided over many landmark cases in American law. The court is part of the First Circuit, and its primary courthouse is the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse on the Boston waterfront.

History

The court was created on September 24, 1789, by the 1st United States Congress through the Judiciary Act of 1789, making it one of the nation's oldest federal trial courts. Its first session was held in Boston in 1790, with John Lowell serving as its first district judge. Throughout the 19th century, the court heard significant cases related to admiralty law, fugitive slaves, and early labor law, reflecting the state's industrial and maritime prominence. The court's history is deeply intertwined with the legal development of New England and the nation, from the War of 1812 to the modern era of complex litigation.

Jurisdiction and organization

The court's jurisdiction covers all of Massachusetts, hearing cases arising under the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties, as well as disputes between citizens of different states. It is organized into several key divisions, including the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts and the Magistrate Judges who handle preliminary proceedings. The court operates from several locations, with its main administrative office in Boston. It also maintains staffed offices in Springfield, Worcester, and New Bedford to serve the wider commonwealth.

Courthouses

The primary seat of the court is the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse, a modern facility on Boston Harbor designed by architects Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. A key historic courthouse is the United States Courthouse in Post Office Square, which served as the main federal courthouse for decades and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The court also maintains active divisional courthouses, including the Federal Building & Courthouse in Springfield and the Donohue Federal Building in Worcester.

Notable cases

The court has been the venue for numerous high-profile trials and rulings. It presided over the Boston school desegregation case, *Morgan v. Hennigan*, which led to court-ordered busing in the 1970s. The court handled the corruption trial of former Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and the Abscam prosecutions of members of the U.S. House. Other landmark cases include litigation involving the First Amendment rights of the Westboro Baptist Church and patent disputes for major technology firms like Apple and Microsoft.

Judges

As authorized by Congress, the court currently has thirteen authorized Article III district judgeships. Notable past judges include John Joseph "Joe" Moakley, who later served in the United States House of Representatives, and Frank H. Freedman, who presided over the Wounded Knee trials. Current judges include Allison D. Burroughs, who has overseen cases involving Harvard University admissions, and Indira Talwani, appointed by President Barack Obama. All district judges are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate.

Chief judges

The position of chief judge is held by the district judge in active service who is senior in commission and under the age of 65. This administrative role has been held by jurists such as Andrew A. Caffrey, who presided during the turbulent busing era, and William G. Young, known for his management of complex multidistrict litigation. The current chief judge is F. Dennis Saylor IV, who assumed the role in 2019. Prior chief judges include Mark L. Wolf, who served on the FISA Court and handled significant national security matters.

Category:United States district courts Category:Massachusetts law Category:1789 establishments in Massachusetts Category:Courthouses in Massachusetts