BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker has nominated attorneys Carol Shaw and Tracie Souza, both of whom bring nearly two decades of experience in litigation and support services for families and children, to the Massachusetts Juvenile Court.
“Throughout their careers, Carol Shaw and Tracie Souza have served many of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable families and children facing difficult circumstances,” said Governor Baker. “Both attorneys understand the tremendous legal and personal pressures facing any resident who comes before the Juvenile Court, and I look forward to seeing their combined experience strengthen its mission of protecting our youth.”
“Attorneys Shaw and Souza have served their communities with distinction, and their practice before the Juvenile Court will bring strong local perspectives to the bench in support of children and families,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “I am excited to work with the Governor’s Council as they carefully consider these highly qualified nominees.”
Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the statewide Judicial Nominating Commission and recommended to the Governor. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.
The Juvenile Court Department is a statewide court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters including delinquencies, youthful offender cases, care and protections and children requiring assistance cases. For more information about the Massachusetts Juvenile Court, visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/juv/
About Carol Shaw:
Carol Shaw of Northampton has served as Assistant Clerk Magistrate for the Hampden County Juvenile Court since 2012, determining probable cause for criminal charges at show cause hearings, developing case specific educational and appropriate diversion opportunities and ensuring efficient operations of the court. Shaw began her career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Springfield Probate and Family Court and served 13 years as Assistant Regional Counsel in Berkshire County for the Springfield Department of Children and Families. Shaw received her Juris Doctor in 1998 from the Western New England College School of Law and Masters and Bachelor’s degrees from Syracuse University.
About Tracie Souza:
Tracie Souza of Rehoboth has served as an Assistant Regional Counsel at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Southeast Legal Division since December 2015, previously serving over three years as Supervisor and Staff Attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Division in Fall River representing parents and children involved in care and protection matters, advocating for abused and/or neglected families and children and providing training, court observation and case supervision for junior staff attorneys. Souza was in private practice in Fall River from 1999 to 2002 and from 2007 to 2012, and was in both private practice and a Senior Staff Attorney and Supervisor in the Maricopa County Legal Defender’s Office from 2002 to 2007 in Phoenix, Arizona. Souza obtained her Juris Doctor in 1999 from the Roger Williams School of Law in Rhode Island and graduated cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth with a bachelor’s degree.
