Honorable Richard A. Simons Appointed to the MLAC Board of Directors by Massachusetts Trial Court

BOSTON, MA – This November, the Honorable Richard A. Simons, the First Justice of Berkshire County Probate and Family Court, was appointed to the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) Board of Directors. Simons will inherit the role from the Honorable Chief Justice John D. Casey as the designated appointee of the Trial Court of Massachusetts. As directed by MLAC’s charter, the Chief Justice of the Trial Court or their designee serves on the MLAC Board. 

Richard Simons was appointed to the bench by former Governor Deval Patrick in 2008, bringing over 35 years of experience in family law matters to his role on the MLAC Board of Directors. Simons served as an Associate Judge before becoming First Justice. Before joining the bench, Simons was a partner at Simons, Smith & Gerrard, P.C. and a hearing member for the Board of Bar Overseers. In addition to his judgeship, Simons serves as Chair of the Court’s Education Committee and as a Trustee of the Flaschner Judicial Institute. He is incredibly passionate about his work serving on the Advisory Committee for both the J2J Mentor Program and the Changing Lives Through Literature Committee. Simons holds a bachelor’s degree from Union College and a J.D. from Boston University Law School.  

“MLAC is excited to welcome the Honorable Richard Simons to our Board of Directors, where we will work collaboratively to address critical legal issues that impact residents with low incomes and our communities,” said Lynne Parker, Executive Director of MLAC. “As we look forward to this change in leadership, we also extend our gratitude to the Honorable John D. Casey for his contributions, insights, and service on the MLAC Board.”   

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join such an esteemed Board of Directors,” Simons said. “I look forward to working with my peers to make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors by supporting the delivery of critical legal services.”  

For more information about Hon. Richard Simons and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, please visit www.mlac.org.