---
title: "Francis X. Spina | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/francis-x-spina-4754"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Francis X. Spina

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 1999-present
- Retired Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), serving from 1999 until his retirement on August 12, 2016
- 1999–2016: Associate Justice, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court — appointed by Governor Paul Cellucci on October 14, 1999, and retired ahead of the mandatory age of 70
- 1997–1999: Judge, Massachusetts Appeals Court
- 1993–1997: Judge, Massachusetts Superior Court
- Partner in Pittsfield law firms Reder, Whalen, & Spina and Katz, Lapointe and Spina (1983–1993)
- Second Assistant District Attorney, Berkshire County Attorney’s Office (1979–1983)
- Assistant City Solicitor, City of Pittsfield Law Department (1975–1977)
- (Chitose Suzuki/AP) Supreme Judicial Court Justice Francis X. Spina on Friday became the second justice in days to announce his retirement from the state's highest court

### Education

- B.A. from Amherst College and his J.D. from Boston College Law School.

### Additional information

- Nominated to the court by Republican Governor Paul Cellucci in September 1999 and assumed office on October 14, 1999.
- Practitioner, 1998-1998
- Attorney with Western Massachusetts Legal Services (1972–1974).
- Born November 13, 1946.
- Date of birth: 1946-01-13

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording and photography

Scope: statewide

In Massachusetts courts, photography, recording, or electronic transmission in a courtroom or related judicial space requires prior authorization from the judge or magistrate supervising that place, subject to Rule 1:19's separate provisions for registered news media.

Evidence excerpt: No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, in any courtroom, hearing room, office, chambers or lobby of a judge or magistrate without prior authorization

[Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4754/francis-x-spina/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4754/francis-x-spina/)
- [Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4754/francis-x-spina/)
- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4754/francis-x-spina/)
- [Francis Spina - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Francis_Spina)
- [Justice Francis Spina Of Mass. High Court To Retire](https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/02/05/francis-spina-sjc-retirement)
- [Wikidata: Francis X. Spina](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16981237)

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