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Scott Kafker

Boston, MA, US

Scott Kafker's Extensive Legal Experience in Massachusetts


Since earning his juris doctor from the University of Chicago, Massachusetts Appeals Court Chief Justice Scott Kafker has accumulated over 30 years of legal experience. After completing judicial clerkships with Judge Mark L. Wolf of the United States District Court and Justice Charles L. Levin of the Michigan Supreme Court, Scott Kafker was hired as an associate at Foley, Hoag & Eliot, a Boston law firm. There he handled litigation and collective bargaining for universities and Fortune 500 companies.

After four years with the firm, Scott Kafker served as deputy and deputy chief legal counsel for Governor William F. Weld. In that role, he worked on governor-initiated legislation such as unemployment insurance and workers compensation reforms. He held the position for three years before accepting a job as chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority in 1993.

In 2001, Scott Kafker was appointed to the Massachusetts Appeals Court as an associate justice, a position he held for 14 years before being unanimously approved as chief justice in 2015. Upon being sworn in, he made numerous improvements in the court's operations, speeding up the issuance of its decisions, creating one of the first appellate pro bono clinics in the country, enabling e-filing of briefs, and promoting staff specialization and diversity.


Experience

July 2015 - Present

Chief Justice

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Scott Kafker made numerous improvements in the court's operations, speeding up the issuance of its decisions, creating one of the first appellate pro bono clinics in the country, enabling e-filing of briefs, and promoting staff specialization and diversity.

Education

9/1977 - 6/1981

Amherst College

BA in History

9/1982 - 6/1985

University of Chicago

JD