Neal Quenzer, the former Chief Staff Counsel for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, represents clients in federal and state appellate courts in a variety of subject areas, with special emphasis on Massachusetts matters.

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Mr. Quenzer served for more than three decades in the Office of Chief Staff Counsel for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, including twenty years as the court’s Chief Staff Counsel. He was principal legal advisor for the Justices on all aspects of the court’s appellate business. Mr. 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 preparation of full Court opinions and single justice decisions. He 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. 

Mr. Quenzer also served on the court’s Committee on Judicial Ethics for eight years, acting as the principal administrative officer and liaison to judges throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for formal and informal ethical inquiries. Additionally, he served as the court’s liaison to the Attorney General’s Office with respect to litigation against the court, the Justices, and court staff. He has lectured often in continuing education programs for attorneys and judges and has served for twenty years as a co-editor of Appellate Practice in Massachusetts published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Professional Activities

In 2023, Mr. Quenzer was appointed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to its Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure, which reviews issues and proposals concerning the Massachusetts Rules of Appellate Procedure and makes appropriate recommendations to the court.

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Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, Boston University School of Law, 1982

    • BS, Computer Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1979

  • Admissions

    • Massachusetts

    • US District Court for the District of Massachusetts

    • US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

  • Government Experience

    • State and Local Government

      Chief Staff Counsel, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
    • State and Local Government

      Deputy Chief Staff Counsel, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
    • State and Local Government

      Senior Staff Counsel, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Credentials

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