---
title: "Joseph A. Trainor | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joseph-a-trainor-7516"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Joseph A. Trainor

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, 2001-present
- Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court from 2001 until his retirement in 2018
- Prior judicial role: First Justice of the Middlesex Division of the Juvenile Court (1997–2001), appointed by Governor William F. Weld

### Education

- Suffolk University Law School (Law degree).

### Additional information

- 1978–1980: Court administrator, Juvenile Court Department.

## 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/7516/joseph-a-trainor/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7516/joseph-a-trainor/)
- [Massachusetts Appeals Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7516/joseph-a-trainor/)
- [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/7516/joseph-a-trainor/)
- [Appeals Court Justices](https://www.mass.gov/lists/appeals-court-justices)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7516/joseph-a-trainor/)

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