Governor Baker Nominates Thomas B. Daniels of Western Massachusetts as Industrial Accidents Administrative Judge and Shelley M. Richmond Joseph as Associate Justice of the Framingham District Court

BOSTON, Sept. 27 -- Gov. Charlie Baker, R-Mass., has issued the following news release:

Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Thomas B. Daniels to the position of Administrative Judge on the Industrial Board at the Department of Industrial Accidents and Shelley M. Richmond Joseph to the position of Associate Justice of the Framingham District Court. Daniels has over thirty years of litigation experience working in insurance defense. Richmond Joseph has 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors.

"Thomas Daniels has a deep understanding of the Massachusetts Workers Comp System; he has a strong record in litigation and is experienced in Dispute Resolution which will serve the Department of Industrial Accidents well. Shelley Richmond Joseph's past service to the Commonwealth and people of Massachusetts in both public and private capacities coupled with her extensive courtroom experience will serve as an asset to the District Courts," said Governor Baker. "I am pleased to submit their names for the Governor's Council's advice and consent."

"Attorney Daniels' distinguished experience, which includes meticulous preparation and excellent trial skills make him an exceptional candidate for the Industrial Accident Board. Richmond Joseph's commitment to our youth, which is evidenced by her community service focused on creating safer and healthier communities, is admirable and important," said Lt. Governor Polito. "I am confident that if confirmed, these nominees' knowledge of the Massachusetts statutes, regulations, and case law along with their wisdom and real life experience will well serve all who appear before them."

The Industrial Accident Board is the central component of the Division of Dispute Resolution. If the parties involved in the workers' compensation dispute do not reach an agreement at Conciliation, the case can be referred on to a Conference before an Administrative Judge (AJ). Twenty-one AJ's preside over disputed workers' compensation cases from the Conference proceeding to the Hearing stage.

For more information about the Industrial Accident Board, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/lwd/workers-compensation/ddr/industrial-accident-board.html

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth.

For more information about the District Courts, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/dc/

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor's Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

About Thomas B. Daniels

Thomas B. Daniels currently serves as a Senior Trial Attorney defending Worker's Compensation claims for Travelers Insurance at the Law Offices of Steven B. Stein in Springfield, Massachusetts. Since 2005 he has solely handled Worker's Compensation cases. From 1991 to 2005 Daniels handled the defense of cases involving Worker's Compensation, auto and general liability, construction, products liability, property, personal injury protection, subrogation and coverage opinions for insurers. From 1979 to 1986 Daniels was an Outside Claims Representative for Zurich and Sentry Insurance and then a Claims Supervisor for USF&G Insurance from 1987 to 1991. His record includes a number of Superior Court Jury and District Court Trials, as well as Arbitrations and Mediations statewide and in Connecticut. After graduating from Dickinson College in 1979, Daniels pursued his Juris Doctorate from Western New England School of Law, graduating in 1988. He is also licensed to practice law in Connecticut. Daniels lives in Leverett, Massachusetts with his wife of 33 years, Susan, and their two children, Rose and John.

About Shelley M. Richmond Joseph

Shelley M. Richmond Joseph currently serves as a partner at the Law Office of Joseph and Joseph in Newton, Massachusetts. She co-founded the firm with her husband in 2003. She specializes in criminal defense, hearings before the registry of motor vehicles, and restraining orders. The firm's work also includes real estate, personal injury, business, and trust and estate law. Previously, Joseph spent time with a firm in Boston, where she worked on all aspects of civil litigation. From 1993 to 2000, she worked as Assistant Attorney General in the Family and Community Crimes Bureau, the Business and Fair Labor Protection Bureau, and the Criminal Bureau. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at New England School of Law and Massachusetts School of Law, and has been featured as a lecturer on the topics of innovative jury techniques sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association, starting a law practice sponsored by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, warrant and warrantless searches sponsored by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, women in litigation sponsored by the Women's Bar Association and Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers, as well as social host liability and legal issues confronting parents of teens. Joseph graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Political Science and Romance Languages, with a concentration in Spanish, and received a juris doctorate from New England School of Law. She is an executive board member of Natick Together for Youth, an organization which aims to reduce and prevent youth substance abuse. She lives in Natick, Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters.