Boston - On October 16, 2024, Governor Maura Healey nominated Stuart Hurowitz and Polly Phillips to the District Court. The nominees will now continue forward to the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

“Both of these hardworking attorneys will make strong additions to our District Court,” said Governor Healey. “Stuart and Polly each have unique careers that have provided a deep understanding of the law. I look forward to working with the Governor’s Council to confirm their nominations."

“Stuart and Polly have dedicated their careers to justice. We thank the Governor’s Council for considering these nominees and are hopeful that they’ll serve on our District Court bench,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. 

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.

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage. Governor Healey has already nominated ten attorneys to the District Court: Heath Antonio, Leo Fama, Francis V. Kenneally, Courtney C. Linnehan, Marjorie P. Tynes, Sarah Kennedy, Edward Krippendorf, Frederick DeCubellis, Gregory Teran and Amanda Ward.

About Stuart Hurowitz

Stuart Hurowitz is a public defender with 31 years of legal experience, 23 of which have been focused on criminal defense in the District and Superior Courts in Massachusetts. He has been the Supervising Attorney at in the Worcester County Office of the Committee for Public Counsel Services for over a decade. In addition to his legal practice, Attorney Hurowitz has been involved in academia since 2001, serving as an adjunct and visiting professor at Boston University School of Law and Boston College Law School. He has a B.A. from State University of New York at Binghamton – Harpur College, and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law. He lives in Framingham with his wife and two children.

About Mary (Polly) Phillips

Polly Phillips has broad experience litigating criminal cases in Massachusetts courts, having practiced for eight years as a prosecutor before opening her own defense practice in 2005. Attorney Phillips began her career at the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, handling a wide range of misdemeanor and felony cases. She later transitioned to the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General where she was assigned to the Special Investigations and Narcotics Division in the Criminal Bureau. In 2005, Attorney Phillips founded her own firm where she has focused on criminal defense, representing clients in both District and Superior Court. She has served as a Bar advocate in the Woburn, Concord, and Ayer District Courts. She has a B.A. from Clark University and a J.D. from University of New Hampshire, Pierce School of Law. She lives in Concord.