---
title: "Timothy Spafard Hillman | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/timothy-spafard-hillman-1464"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Timothy Spafard Hillman

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts · Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- 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, District Court, D. Massachusetts, 2012-present
- Former United States district judge for the District of Massachusetts, serving from 2012 until his retirement in July 2024
- U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, 2006-2012
- Justice, Worcester Massachusetts Superior Court, 1998-2006
- Presiding justice, Worcester Massachusetts District Court, 1997-1998
- presiding justice, 1995-1997
- Justice, Gardner Massachusetts District Court, 1991-1997

### Education

- B.A. — Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his J.D. in 1973 from Suffolk University Law School in Boston (1970)

### Additional information

- On November 30, 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Hillman to replace retiring Judge Nancy Gertner
- Faculty member, Clark University, 2002-2005
- Faculty member, Massachusetts School of Law, 1999-2005
- City solicitor, Gardner, MA, 1989-1990
- Town counsel, Athol, MA, 1988-1990
- Town counsel, Petersham, MA, 1988-1990
- Town counsel, Lunenburg, MA, 1981-1990
- City solicitor, Fitchburg, MA, 1978-1990
- Private practice, Fitchburg, MA, 1974-1990
- Assistant district attorney, Worcester County, MA, 1975-1978
- Born March 13, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois.
- Date of birth: 1948-01-01
- Birth place: Chicago, IL

## 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/1464/timothy-spafard-hillman/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1464/timothy-spafard-hillman/)
- [U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1464/timothy-spafard-hillman/)
- [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/1464/timothy-spafard-hillman/)
- [Hillman, Timothy Spafard | Federal Judicial Center](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/hillman-timothy-spafard)
- [Judge Timothy S. Hillman](https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/worcester/hillman.htm)
- [Wikidata: Timothy S. Hillman](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7807499)

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