Margie Palladino

Margie Palladino earned a high school diploma from Notre Dame High School, a bachelor's degree from Colgate University, and a law degree from Boston College Law School.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a former trial lawyer:I worked 12 yrs+ as a trial lawyer & was a partner in a Boston law firmI practiced at every level of Massachusetts courts, from highest court (SJC) down to district courts, & federal court too. I am a family court reform advocate:My own experience as a party in Family Court opened my eyes to the significant need for reform & led me to devote the past 6 yrs to advocate at the highest levels for family court reform:Co-founding & leading a non-profit to improve family court system on behalf of women, children & domestic abuse survivors.Writing amicus briefs to Mass. appellate courts that contributed to important legal decisions strengthening protections for families.Working with legislators & advocates to secure passage of a law expanding the definition of domestic abuse to include non-physical forms of abuse; advocating for legislation to stop abusive litigation.Organizing law school symposia, bringing national experts together to educate lawyers, judges & advocates on latest research affecting families & communities.I am a lifelong Democrat & believe strongly in Democratic ideals: Reproductive freedomLGBTQ+ equalityEnvironmental protection Fair wagesProtecting vulnerable & marginalized groupsHumane & lawful immigration policiesEquality & due process for all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Independent judgment

Independence is essential to the responsibility of evaluating all nominees before the Council. Because I no longer practice law, I have no conflict of interest when evaluating judicial nominees and will not appear before judges I confirm. I will bring my legal and advocacy skills—and an independent voice—to the Council because it should truly serve as the people’s check on the Governor’s ability to appoint judges.Accountability & Transparency

The Governor’s Council makes critical decisions that can have lasting effect on your lives, your families, and our communities, yet too much of how it operates remains outside public view. I will advocate for strong and publicly accessible rules of process, especially rules governing conflicts and campaign donors. Public trust requires more than good decisions—it requires transparency about how and why those decisions are made.Sound and unbiased application of the law

All nominees confirmed must have integrity, sound judgment, fairness, independence, and the temperament their position demands. They must understand and faithfully apply Massachusetts law —including the rights and protections Massachusetts provides for reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and more.

They also must understand the real-world impact their conduct and decisions have on the people before them and their families and our communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about:

Judicial reform: a trauma-aware judiciary free from bias and mindful of how delays, costs & their conduct affect people & our community.

Accountable & transparent governance: It's critical that the Governor's Council have clear rules, especially about conflicts of interest & process. Rules must be publicly accessible and ensure that all affected—including victims—be respectfully considered.

Equal protection and due process for everyone, in our courts and before the Parole Board. Immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, abuse survivors, people of color & members of marginalized communities all deserve the same fair and equal application of our laws and constitutional protections.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I’m proud to share that I have received the endorsement of Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio.

“Trust, transparency, and independence matter deeply to me and to the people I serve. It is for those reasons that Margie Palladino is the obvious choice for Governor’s Council in District 3.”

Campaign websitePalladino's campaign website stated the following:As your Governor’s Councillor for District 3, I will:Seek and value the perspectives of those who interact with our justice system, including families, survivors of intimate partner violence, advocacy organizations, and community groups. I want to hear not only from insiders within the system, but also from the people whose lives are most directly affected by our justice system.Seek and value the perspectives of those who study our justice system, including educational institutions, clinicians, and experts engaged in research on systemic reform. Sound judicial decision-making should be informed not only by legal precedent, but also by evidence, research, and a willingness to improve systems that are failing people.Scrutinize judicial and other nominees carefully and be willing to say no when reason, judgment, and the best interests of the public require it. The Massachusetts Constitution calls for independent judgment from every Governor’s Councillor. Evaluating a judge is not about political party or special interests — it is about character, temperament, fairness, and intellect.Promote transparency and accountability in the Governor's Council, including greater public awareness of its role and the electoral process. Any civic institution that operates in the shadows can accumulate unchecked power and disproportionately benefit incumbents and candidates with established political networks.Remain accountable to my constituents by communicating openly and consistently about the work of the Governor’s Council, the nominees before it, and the reasons behind my votes.— Margie Palladino's campaign website (August 28, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.