SJC Justice David Lowy named University of Massachusetts General Counsel

UMass President Marty Meehan has announced that Justice David A. Lowy, the first UMass graduate to serve on the state's Supreme Judicial Court, will become the next General Counsel of the 74,000-student, five-campus University of Massachusetts system. In addition to his appointment as General Counsel, Justice Lowy will serve as Strategic Advisor for Law School Education and Adjunct Professor of Law at UMass School of Law, the university's ABA-accredited Law School.

David A. Lowy

Justice Lowy succeeds General Counsel Gerry Leone, who has accepted an offer to return to private practice. Leone, the former elected Middlesex District Attorney, was named general counsel of the five-campus UMass system by President Meehan in 2017.

The general counsel is based at the UMass Office of the President in Boston and leads the University's legal department in addition to working with the campus Chancellors and the UMass Board of Trustees.

"Justice Lowy is a highly respected jurist who possesses a keen legal mind and also brings significant experience as an educator," Meehan said. "We have taken great pride in David Lowy's career for many years, and it is fair to say that he has inspired UMass students to pursue careers in law and in public service. I am honored to welcome one of our most distinguished graduates back to the University."

Justice Lowy became the first University of Massachusetts alumnus ever to serve on the state's highest court when Gov. Charlie Baker appointed him to the SJC in 2016. Justice Lowy, who graduated cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1983, served as a District Court and Superior Court judge before joining the SJC.

"I am truly delighted to be returning home to UMass and am very pleased to be joining President Meehan's team," Justice Lowy said. "I look forward to working to advance the University's mission of educational excellence. From personal experience, I know that UMass provides opportunity and transforms lives."

Justice Lowy began his legal career as an associate in the Litigation Department of Goodwin, Procter & Hoar, leaving for a year-long stint to work as a law clerk to Judge Edward F. Harrington in the U.S. District Court. He was an assistant district attorney in Essex and Suffolk Counties and served as Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor William F. Weld.

During his years on the bench and while serving in other legal positions, Justice Lowy has taught at New England School of Law | Boston, Suffolk University Law School and at Boston University School of Law. He graduated magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law in 1987.

Meehan also expressed gratitude for Leone's service to the university. "Gerry Leone has provided UMass with outstanding legal service during his tenure as general counsel and has also been a key strategist and adviser," Meehan said. "We will miss his skill and wise counsel, but I respect his decision to pursue an exciting and fulfilling opportunity. I have had the good fortune to call Gerry a friend for many years and look forward to witnessing his future achievements."

In addition to serving as Middlesex District Attorney, Leone was First Assistant U.S. Attorney and was known for his prosecution of high-profile state and federal cases, including that of "shoe bomber" Richard Reid. Prior to his election as Middlesex DA, Leone was the Chief of the Criminal Bureau in the state Attorney General's Office. Leone was Vice President for People Development for Consigli Construction and was a partner at the Boston law firm Nixon Peabody.

The complete announcement of Lowy's appointment can be found on the UMass President's Office website.

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