---
title: "James W. Coffey | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-w-coffey-ma"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James W. Coffey

Massachusetts Boston Municipal Court · First Justice

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Boston Municipal Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: First Justice
- Service status: active

## Summary

James W. Coffey — Massachusetts Boston Municipal Court

## Sources

- [Boston Municipal Court Justices](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/boston-municipal-court-justices)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The Central Division of the Boston Municipal Court, where Judge Coffey serves as First Justice, provides judicial services to a diverse urban population

### Education


### Additional information

- Joined the Boston Municipal Court in 2001 by Governor Jane M. Swift and has served there since, presiding over cases in the Central Division, which covers Downtown Boston, Chinatown, North End, South End through Massachusetts Avenue, West End, and Beacon Hill
- Judge James W. Coffey was born on September 14, 1953, in Teaneck, New Jersey and was admitted to the bar in 1987.
- Judge Coffey has extensive experience in the legal field, with a career spanning several decades.
- Known for his contributions to the administration of justice in Boston and for his role in managing court proceedings efficiently
- Judge Coffey oversees civil, criminal, and administrative matters within this jurisdiction and works alongside the Clerk-Magistrate and Chief Probation Officer to ensure smooth court operations
- His professional expertise includes handling a wide range of cases within the Massachusetts state court system, particularly at the municipal level.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-20acbd9da185f40e1f10b2b2) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts). Collected 2026-07-26.