By Tiffany Williams –
Governor Maura Healey nominated Lyonel Jean-Pierre, Jr. and Timothy Horan to serve as Associate Justices of the Probate and Family Court, sending the picks to the Governor’s Council for confirmation.
“Both Attorney Jean-Pierre Jr and Attorney Horan will bring a wealth of knowledge to the Probate and Family Court,” Healey said, highlighting their unique perspectives and legal expertise. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added that the court plays a “critical role” in handling cases involving families and children, and she looks forward to the nominees joining the bench.
The Probate and Family Court oversees matters like divorce, child support, custody disputes, and wills, delivering justice for families in an efficient and impartial way. Healey has already appointed 14 associate justices to the court and tapped two registers of probate in Suffolk and Hampshire.
Timothy Horan has spent the last 21 years in private practice, focusing on probate and family law. He’s handled everything from divorce and custody cases to estate planning, plus a wide array of civil and criminal matters. Horan also served as an Investigator and Prosecuting Counsel for the Division of Professional Licensure and worked as a victim witness advocate at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
Lyonel Jean-Pierre, Jr. currently serves as Managing Attorney at Community Legal Aid in Worcester, overseeing a team assisting low-income clients with family law cases. He’s also taught at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau and spent time in private practice and at Prisoners’ Legal Services early in his career. Jean-Pierre holds a Bachelor’s from Brandeis and a law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
With both nominees bringing decades of courtroom experience and community-focused work, Healey’s office said the court will gain not just expertise but a commitment to helping families navigate some of life’s most challenging moments.