---
title: "Mary Sullivan | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-sullivan-7522"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Mary Sullivan

Massachusetts District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts District Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Massachusetts District Court, 2011-present
- Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court Appointed: December 9, 2011 by Governor Deval Patrick
- Former Justice of the Dedham District Court; later Director of Specialty Courts, Massachusetts Trial Court Appointed: 2001 by Governor Jane M. Swift
- Law clerk to Chief Judge Shane Devine (U.S. District Court, New Hampshire) 1981–1983
- Partner at Segal, Roitman, LLP until her judicial appointment
- First Justice of Dedham District Court; presided in Norfolk, Suffolk, Bristol, Plymouth, and Essex County District Courts
- held the role of drug court judge in Dorchester and Quincy Courts

### Education

- Northeastern University School of Law in — J.D. (1981)
- Suffolk University Law School — J.D.

### Additional information

- Retired: August 16, 2023
- Appointed to this position by Governor Deval Patrick and joined the court on December 9, 2011.
- Career included: Assistant District Attorney, Suffolk County (1979, 1996–2001) Trial attorney, Massachusetts Defenders Committee (1980–1982) Private practice at Sullivan & McDermott (1982–1996)
- Served on the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and Massachusetts Apprenticeship Counsel

## 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/7522/mary-sullivan/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7522/mary-sullivan/)
- [Massachusetts District Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7522/mary-sullivan/)
- [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/7522/mary-sullivan/)
- [Mary O'Sullivan Smith - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_O%27Sullivan_Smith)
- [Mary T. Sullivan - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_T._Sullivan)

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## 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.