BOSTON - Governor Maura T. Healey today nominated Frederick DeCubellis, Gregory Teran and Amanda Ward as Associate Justices to the District Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

“I’m proud to nominate these three highly experienced attorneys who will make excellent additions to the District Court,” said Governor Healey. “We’re grateful to the Governor’s Council for their careful review of their nominations.”

"We’re grateful that these three nominees are ready and eager to continue their service to Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “I am excited to work with the Governor’s Council as they consider these terrific nominees.”

The District Court Department 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. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the state.

Governor Healey previously appointed Leo Fama, Francis V. Kenneally, Courtney C. Linnehan and Marjorie P. Tynes to serve as Associate Justices of the District Court. She has also nominated Sarah Kennedy and Edward Krippendorf, who are currently before the Governor’s Council. For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.

About the Nominees:

Frederick DeCubellis currently serves as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the New Bedford District Court. Prior to that, he ran a successful solo practice in New Bedford for twenty-two years, handling a wide range of civil and criminal matters, and practicing extensively in the District Court. He holds an Associate's Degree from the Community College of Rhode Island, a Bachelor of Arts from Rhode Island College, and a Juris Doctorate from Southern New England School of Law.

Gregory Teran is currently a public defender with the Mental Health Litigation Division at the Committee for Public Counsel Services, where he represents indigent clients facing commitment, involuntary medication, and guardianship proceedings. He also serves as a Trustee of the Massachusetts Guardianship Association, an entity providing resources and support for professionals and families on guardianship-related topics. Prior to becoming a public defender, Attorney Teran spent fifteen years as an Associate and Senior Partner at WilmerHale, where he litigated complex civil cases in federal courts around the United States. While at WilmerHale he represented Guantanamo detainees in federal habeas proceedings from 2008-2010 and served as an Assistant District Attorney in Malden in 2004-2005. Attorney Teran served as a law clerk to the Honorable George A. O'Toole Jr. in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served as an officer from 1992-1996. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.

Amanda Ward is currently an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court. She previously served as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Middlesex Superior Court. Prior to that, Attorney Ward spent ten years as a public defender at the Committee for Public Counsel Services, providing criminal defense to indigent people. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Boston College Law School and a faculty advisor and coach for their National Mock Trial team. Early in her career, Ward served as a Victim Witness Advocate at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from American University and a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law.