Appeals Court Nominee
By Gary V. Murray
Telegram & Gazette
November 15, 2007
http://www.telegram.com/article/20071115/NEWS/711150728/1116
WORCESTER— The Superior Court's loss would be the Appeals Court's gain.
That was the reaction yesterday from members of the local bar to news that Judge Francis R. Fecteau, a Superior Court judge from Worcester, had been nominated by Gov. Deval L. Patrick as an associate justice of the state Appeals Court.
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"He's very deserving of it, but we're certainly going to miss him in the Trial Court because he's an excellent Trial Court judge," said Assistant District Attorney Thomas E. Landry, chief trial counsel in the office of District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
The 60-year-old Judge Fecteau, a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Boston College Law School who has been on the Superior Court bench for the last 11 years, was one of three people nominated by Mr. Patrick to the Appeals Court. If confirmed by the Governor's Council, the former VISTA volunteer would fill the vacancy created earlier this year by the retirement of another Worcester judge, Mel L. Greenberg.
Also nominated were Peter J. Rubin, 44, of Newton, a professor of law at the Georgetown University Law Center, and Gabrielle R. Wolohojian, 46, of Boston, a senior partner at the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.
In announcing Judge Fecteau's nomination, the governor cited his broad background as a civil law practitioner, criminal defense lawyer, assistant district attorney and Superior Court judge.
"Judge Fecteau brings to the Appeals Court extensive experience as a fair and practical trial jurist who is admired in Worcester and beyond for his commitment to his work and community and his balanced judgment," Mr. Patrick said.
James G. Reardon Jr., president of the Worcester County Bar Association, echoed those sentiments.
"It's an excellent nomination. We're very pleased. He's an exceptionally well-qualified candidate and we hope and expect he'll be confirmed by the Governor's Council," Mr. Reardon said.
"He has a wealth of experience, both as an attorney and a judge in civil and criminal law. He has a wonderful intellect and is impartial and honest in all his decisions. He'll be very much missed in the Trial Court because he's an excellent judge and we can only hope for someone who will follow in his footsteps," Mr. Reardon said.
He added that it was particularly gratifying to see a Worcester judge nominated to an appellate court position.
"Historically, we feel a little under-represented" on the appellate court bench, he said. "We're very pleased that one of our own, an excellent lawyer and judge, has this nomination," Mr. Reardon said. If confirmed, Judge Fecteau would join Fitchburg native Andre A. Gelinas as an associate justice of the Appeals Court, which was expanded from 14 to 25 judges in 2000.
Criminal defense lawyer John H. LaChance of Framingham, a self-styled "adopted son of Worcester," said he has tried many cases before Judge Fecteau. One of the more notable was the 2006 trial of Joseph L. Druce, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2003 prison slaying of priest John J. Geoghan.
"I've found him to be extremely bright and knowledgeable on the law," Mr. LaChance said of Judge Fecteau. "He'll make a wonderful Appeals Court judge. The only thing is, he's a terrific trial judge and we are going to miss him on the Superior Court," he said.
"He's one of the most highly respected jurists in the legal community and he'll certainly be missed in Worcester," said lawyer Michael H. Erlich.
"I'm just honored that the governor has honored me this way," said Judge Fecteau, who is currently assigned to Worcester Superior Court.
Mr. . Patrick said he anticipated prompt confirmation of his nominees.
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