Mass. District Court Chief Justice To Retire

The chief justice of the Massachusetts District Court says she is stepping down to take a position at Simmons College.

Lynda Connolly announced Wednesday that she is retiring in March to oversee the pre-law advising program at the Boston college.

Connolly called it a "privilege and pleasure" to serve as a judge in Massachusetts.

She was appointed to the bench by then Gov. William Weld in 1997 as an associate justice at Marlborough District Court, and was named chief justice in 2004.

Chief Justice of the Trial Court Robert Mulligan called Connolly a well-respected judge who's done a "superb job" leading the district court.

Connolly is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and Boston College Law School.