The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court announced on April 7 the appointment of Sheila Creaton Kelly, Esq. as the new Jury Commissioner, following the retirement of Pamela J. Wood after more than two decades in the role.
The appointment marks a leadership transition for the Office of Jury Commissioner, which is responsible for overseeing the random selection of citizens for jury service in Massachusetts. The role is significant because it helps ensure that juries are diverse and representative, supporting public trust in the legal system.
“We are pleased to appoint Sheila to the position of Jury Commissioner. She is an experienced attorney, with knowledge of the court system, and strong public management experience,” said Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd. “We are grateful to Pamela Wood for her many years of dedicated service to the system. The Justices look forward to the continued successful operation of the Office of Jury Commissioner during Sheila’s tenure.”
Creaton Kelly brings experience from her current work as Regional Chief for Central Massachusetts at the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and previously served as Director of Operations at the Department of Youth Services and Superintendent at MCI Concord from 2020-2021.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court acts as the final authority on state law and handles appellate jurisdiction over lower court decisions, according to its official website. It stands as one of oldest continuously functioning appellate courts in Western Hemisphere and operates within Commonwealth boundaries according to its official website.
In addition to judicial duties, it contributes through educational outreach about how courts function according to its official website, oversees regulation within legal practice while supporting public access to opinions according to its official website, and provides advisory opinions on key issues for state leaders according to its official website.
With this leadership change in a key administrative post, observers expect continuity in managing jury operations across Massachusetts.
