Baker nominates Gloucester attorney to be family court justice

March 02--A Gloucester attorney who has focused her private practice on issues of divorce, child custody and estate planning has been nominated for a state judgeship.

On Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker nominated Mary Rudolph Black as an associate justice in the Probate and Family Court. Baker also nominated Richard John Sinnott, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, for the Boston Municipal Court.

Both must be approved by the Governor's Council. Their applications previously were reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission and recommended to the governor.

Black has been an attorney in Massachusetts since 1986 and has had her own practice since 1997. She is active locally as a singer and frequent cast member in theater productions.

Black graduated from the New England School of Law in 1985 and practiced as an associate with the Gloucester firm of Porter and Coakley for four years, concentrating in contested domestic relations, and probating of estate cases and real estate matters.

Black did not return phone calls Wednesday seeking comment.

In 1991, she opened her own office, litigating extensively in juvenile and Probate and Family Court matters. Before returning to her own practice in 1997, Black worked at the Gloucester firm, Black and Pontisakos, for three years in domestic relations and probate litigation.

Her private practice focuses on domestic relations, guardianship, conservatorship and estate matters, and she serves the court as a Guardian ad Litem. Black is a member of the Massachusetts, Essex County, and Gloucester bar associations.

Black earned her undergraduate degree at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

Material from the State House News Service was used in this report.

Contact Sean Horgan at 978-675-2714, or shorgan@gloucestertimes.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SeanGDT

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