Governor Baker Makes Two Judicial Nominations

Governor Baker Makes Two Judicial Nominations

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker has nominated Paul M. Cronan, an attorney from Rehoboth, to the position of Associate Justice of the Probate & Family Court, Bristol County Division and Daniel J. Hourihan, an Assistant District Attorney for Bristol County, to serve as a judge for the New Bedford District Court. 

“I am pleased to nominate two experienced litigators who have spent their entire legal careers serving the people of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Paul Cronan has spent the majority of his career practicing in the Probate and Family Court and is well versed in the law of that important court. Daniel Hourihan has had a distinguished legal career and is a well-respected prosecutor in the Bristol County community. I am confident that both these individuals have the ideal temperament  and work ethic that will serve the citizens of the Commonwealth well.”

“I look forward to the Council’s review of these two distinguished attorneys,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Both possess the passion and experience to serve their respective courts with honor and I am confident that they will treat those that appear before them respectfully, fairly and wisely.”

The Probate and Family Court Department has jurisdiction over family-related and probate matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, visitation, adoption, termination of parental rights, abuse prevention and wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and changes of name.

There are 62 District Courts throughout the Commonwealth hearing a range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health and other case types, including all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, misdemeanors and violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws.

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 Paul M. Cronan

Paul M. Cronan has practiced law in the Commonwealth for nearly three decades. Since 1997 he has operated his own legal practice in North Attleborough, concentrated in domestic relations, criminal defense, estate planning, and residential real estate. He provides up to 100 hours of pro bono work a year, where he provides legal advice to families and individuals at no cost and has also continued representation of clients after they have exhausted their own resources to pay legal fees during his career. Cronan began practicing in 1988 at the Law Office of Michael J. Duggan as an associate, before being named a partner in 1991 where his practice concentrated on domestic relations, criminal defense, estate planning, personal injury, and residential real estate. He graduated from Assumption College with a B.A. in Political Science in 1982 before receiving his J.D. from Suffolk Law School in 1988. Cronan is active in the Alyssa E. Correira Memorial Fund,serving on the charity’s Board of Directors and organizes the annual 5k run every fall. He is a resident of Rehoboth.

About Daniel J. Hourihan

Daniel J. Hourihan has worked at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office in the Homicide and Major Case Unit since 2011, where his work involves the investigation and prosecution of homicides and other serious violent felonies in the Superior Court. Prior to his current role, he investigated and prosecuted homicide cases and other serious violent felonies for the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office from 2003 to 2011. Hourihan began his legal career with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in 1992, where he worked in a number of different departments, including:  the Boston Municipal Court, the Charlestown District Court, the Anti-Gang Unit, the Superior Court Trial Unit, and the Major Felonies Unit.  He graduated with honors from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice before receiving his J.D. from Suffolk Law School in 1990. Hourihan was born in Springfield and currently resides in Bridgewater, where he coaches youth sports, volunteers at the Taunton Food Pantry, and assists law students in their studies, as well as various school groups in training and mentoring programs.