Wanjiru Waweru, Jadetimes Staff
W.Waweru is a Jadetimes news reporter covering America News
Governor Laura Healey’s newest selection for the Superior Court bench where Worcester Attorney received praise from the Governor’s Council on Wednesday, September 18, for her career as a public defense in Central Massachusetts.
Sarah Hamilton whose Healey was nominated in August, has participated in her law career with the Committee for Public Council Services, a lead as a staff lawyer in Worcester, and Fall River, and later as a senior trial counsel for the Western Region.
A duplex graduate of Northeastern University, Hamilton reported to councilors she became the first college graduate in her family and recollected the impression evacuated on her by one Northeastern professor — Former Governor Michael Dukakis.
"When I spoke with him about law school, he pushed me to pursue a career in public interest law," said Hamilton. "And he's the person who first told me what a public defender was, and explained that I could have a legal career devoted to public service where I helped real people with real problems."
Worcester attorney Maura Tansley, a collaborator at Tansley Halloran, and Worcester County prosecutor expressed their voice for the endorsement for Healey’s selection.
"It's great to see a public defender elevated to the bench, especially one who has support from the district attorney's office," Worcester Councilor Paul DePalo reported. "And we've been waiting for a woman on Superior Court in Worcester for quite some time, so that's an added bonus of this nominee."
Hamilton raised an eyebrow about her age.
"First of all, you're 42," reported Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney. "OK, almost 30 years you'll be on the bench. How are you going to keep yourself up to par, and up with everything?"
Hamilton expressed enlargement in case law, enlargement in science and technology, and possibilities in the law careers including guidance can all endorse her "stay engaged."
"Serving the public has been a priority of my professional life. For me, being an associate justice of the Superior Court will be the ultimate act of public service to the Commonwealth and to my community in Worcester in particular," said Hamilton.
