Boston - On March 26, 2025, Governor Maura Healey announced the nomination of Dana Rutherford to serve as Clerk Magistrate of the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court. Mr. Rutherford has worked as Assistant Clerk Magistrate for the Malden District Court since 2006. He will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation.

“Dana Rutherford has shown a strong dedication to serving his community over the course of his career, and in this role, he will serve to ensure the smooth operations of the Boston Municipal Court,” said Governor Maura Healey. “He’s been a leader and committed public servant in the Malden District Court, and we look forward to working with the Governor’s Council to confirm his position as Clerk Magistrate.”   

“Known to be smart, kind and just, Dana Rutherford has served as an advocate for his community for decades. As an Assistant Clerk Magistrate, he’s been a leader for the Malden District Court and, as Clerk Magistrate in the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court, he will continue to deliver results,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are excited to work toward his confirmation with the Governor’s Council.”

Dana Rutherford has served as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Trial Court for nearly two decades, 13 of which have been in the Malden District Court. In this role, he has performed all the duties associated with the clerk’s office including conducting show cause hearings, reviewing search warrant applications, running court sessions, and presiding over small claims trials and motion sessions. He was a founding member of the CHOICE Program, a program run out of the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court, aimed at reducing recidivism among court-involved young people by providing mentorship and connecting them with the resources needed to help them succeed. He has also served as a facilitator for the Changing Lives Through Literature program. In addition to his community involvement, Mr. Rutherford spent nearly two decades as a project manager in the private sector where he managed engineering projects throughout the country and in Osaka, Japan and where he honed his managerial skills, directing teams, working with both internal and external stakeholders, and finding creative solutions to complex problems. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Westfield State University and resides in Hyde Park.

The Boston Municipal Court Department serves the City of Boston, handling criminal and civil matters while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law, and protecting human dignity through respect, compassion, correction and the fair resolution of cases. 

The Boston Municipal Court Department has 30 judges in eight court divisions in Brighton, Central (downtown), Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury, South Boston and West Roxbury. The Boston Municipal Court also has jurisdiction to review appeals of decisions made by some government agencies on issues such as unemployment compensation and firearms licensing.  

Governor Healey has already nominated six attorneys to the Boston Municipal Court: Connor Barusch, Nicholas Brandt, Rebeca G. Figueroa, Steven S. Kim, Dana Pierce and Vanessa Vélez.