WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Neal Quenzer, former Chief Staff Counsel to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, has joined the firm’s Appellate Practice in Boston.

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Quenzer spent more than three decades advising the Supreme Judicial Court, beginning as Senior Staff Counsel. He also served as Deputy Chief Staff Counsel for several years. As Chief Staff Counsel, he served as principal legal adviser for the Justices on all aspects of the Court’s appellate business. Over the course of his career, Quenzer served with seven Chief Justices and 26 Associate Justices on Massachusetts’ highest court.

Quenzer managed all aspects of the Chief Staff Counsel’s office, including its roles in supporting the Court’s selection of cases for direct and further appellate review, resolution of motions and other interim matters in pending cases, and assisting in the preparation of full Court opinions and Single Justice decisions. Quenzer also advised the Justices and other officers of the Court on a wide range of substantive and procedural matters in both full Court and Single Justice proceedings.

Additionally, he led the work for the Court’s Hearing List Committee and served as liaison to the Attorney General’s Office.

“Neal is a significant and highly regarded figure in the Massachusetts appellate bar – he literally helped to write the book on Massachusetts appellate practice,” said Susan Murley, co-managing partner of the firm. “We’re thrilled to have him join our team.”

Quenzer earned a JD from Boston University School of Law and a BS in computer science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.