Gov. Names Russell Chair Of Judicial Panel

Gov. Deval Patrick has named a Boston attorney to head the panel that screens applications for judgeships in Massachusetts.

E. Macey Russell has been a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission since 2007 and became its vice chair earlier this year. He'll take over as chair on Jan. 1, succeeding Lisa Goodheart, who has headed the panel for the past three and a half years.

Russell is a partner at Choate, Hall & Stewart and co-chairs the law firm's diversity committee.

During Goodheart's tenure as head of the commission, it has assisted Patrick in the naming of 83 judges, including four nominations to the Supreme Judicial Court.

The governor has also appointed 10 clerk-magistrates.

All judicial nominations must be approved by the Governor's Council.