On Monday, June 16, 2008, Judge Sandra Lynch will become the ninth Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeals since Congress created the position in 1948, and will be the first woman to hold the post. Judge Lynch will succeed Chief Judge Boudin who has served with distinction as chief judge since 2001. Judge Boudin will remain on the court in regular, active service. As chief judge, Judge Lynch will serve as executive officer of both the First Circuit Court of Appeals and the Judicial Council of the First Circuit. She will also represent the First Circuit in biannual meetings of the Judicial Conference of the United States, the judiciary’s national policy making body.

The First Circuit encompasses Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island. It includes the court of appeals and the federal trial and bankruptcy courts in each of these districts.

Judge Lynch will be sworn in at a ceremony at the Moakley Courthouse on June 16 at 2 p.m. For further information, please contact Circuit Executive, Gary Wente, 617-748-9613 or Deputy Circuit Executive, Susan Goldberg, 617-748-9614.