Robert. Mulligan, chief judge for administration and management, cited Pierce’s work in dramatically reducing a backlog of cases and his leadership on a task force studying possible court consolidations and other ways to save money.
Steven D. Pierce, of Westfield, was reappointed as chief justice of the Massachusetts Housing Court Monday.BOSTON – Steven D. Pierce, of Westfield, on Monday was reappointed to a five-year term as the state’s top housing court judge.
Robert A. Mulligan, chief judge for administration and management, reappointed Pierce as chief justice of the Housing Court, citing his work in dramatically reducing a backlog of cases and his leadership on a task force studying possible court consolidations and other ways to save money. Pierce was named a judge in 2003 and became chief justice in 2006.
Mulligan said the Housing Court was the first department in the Trial Court to introduce the full version of a new software system in multiple locations. Mulligan also said the Housing Court has cut a backlog of cases from more than 21,000 at the end of 2006 to 1,741 at the end of 2009.
Before becoming a judge, Pierce, who receives $135,000, was chief legal counsel for former acting Gov. Jane M. Swift. A Republican, Pierce was Westfield’s state representative for six terms and rose to minority leader in the state House of Representatives from 1987 to 1991.
As chief judge of the Housing Court, Pierce oversees about 100 employees, including 10 judges who decide disputes between tenants and property owners and hear complaints involving landlords who might be breaking regulations and laws.
Pierce, 60, is currently co-chair of the Trial Court’s Fiscal Task Force and Court Relocation Committee.