Michael A. Cahillane at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Massachusetts · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael A. Cahillane
Associate Justice · Massachusetts Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- In 2011, he joined the Bristol District Attorney’s Office, where he focused on prosecuting serious crimes, including murders and major felonies, with a particular emphasis on cases involving firearms.
- Began his legal career in 2000 as an assistant district attorney in the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, initially prosecuting cases in the District Court and later in the Superior Court from 2004 to 2011
- Beyond his professional duties, Cahillane has been active in his community, volunteering with the Bristol District Attorney’s Office Volunteer Program, the Salvation Army, and the Fall River Shannon Community Safety Initiative
Education
- Suffolk University School of Law in — J.D. (1999)
- Bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College in 1992
Additional information
- His work earned him recognition as the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association’s “Prosecutor of the Year” in 2010
- Seasoned legal professional with over two decades of experience in prosecution and public service.
- His appointment to the Massachusetts Superior Court recognizes his expertise in handling complex criminal and civil cases, his dedication to justice, and his active engagement in community initiatives
- Governor Charlie Baker nominated Cahillane to serve as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court, the trial court of general jurisdiction in the state, which handles civil cases over $25,000, first-degree murder cases, and other major criminal and civil matters.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Courtwide
Massachusetts Superior Court Standing Order 1-26 identifies which criminal and civil proceedings are presumptively remote or in person, while allowing the presiding judge to change the format under the order's standards.
certain criminal and civil proceedings may be conducted remotely (e.g., by computer, videoconference, or telephone) pursuant to this Standing OrderSuperior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗
Courtwide
Photographing, recording, or electronically transmitting a Massachusetts Superior Court remote or hybrid hearing requires prior authorization from the supervising judge or clerk-magistrate.
No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, of a remote or hybrid court hearing, without prior authorization from the judge or clerk magistrateSuperior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 authorizationSupreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Massachusetts Superior Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 25, 2026.
Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 25, 2026
View Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster ↗Superior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings
Courtwide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Superior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗