---
title: "James Milkey | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-milkey-7512"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# James Milkey

Massachusetts Appeals Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Appeals Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Massachusetts Appeals Court, 2009-present
- James R. Milkey is an American judge, former environmental lawyer, and Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court from 2009 until his retirement on September 3, 2024
- Began his legal career as a law clerk to Appeals Court Justice Benjamin Kaplan (1983–84) and then joined the Environmental Protection Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in 1984, becoming its chief in 1996

### Education

- B.A. magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1978, a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1983, and a master’s degree in city planning from MIT the same year.
- Harvard University — B.A.
- Harvard University — J.D.

### Additional information

- Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick on April 8, 2009, Milkey served on the Massachusetts Appeals Court until his retirement in 2024.
- Born December 17, 1956, Hartford, Connecticut.
- Date of birth: 1956-12-17
- Counsel of record in the landmark Massachusetts v.
- His judicial work spanned diverse areas, including family law, property disputes, and environmental matters
- Birth place: Hartford

## 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/7512/james-milkey/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7512/james-milkey/)
- [Massachusetts Appeals Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7512/james-milkey/)
- [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/7512/james-milkey/)
- [Wikidata: James Milkey](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17306286)
- [Appeals Court Justices](https://www.mass.gov/lists/appeals-court-justices)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7512/james-milkey/)
- [Wikidata: James Milkey](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17306286)

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