Judge David P. Despotopulos: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. David P. Despotopulos is First Justice of the Worcester District Court in Massachusetts. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jane Swift in 2001.

Over the course of his judicial career, Despotopulos has sat as Regional Administrative Justice for Region 5 of the Massachusetts District Court.

Despotopulos earned a bachelor’s degree from Assumption College in 1980. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Bridgeport School of Law in 1983.

After graduating from law school, Despotopulos began his legal career as a law clerk for the Connecticut Superior Court in 1984. The following year, after the conclusion of his clerkship, he entered into private practice with Belinkie & Blawie in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

In 1985, Despotopulos relocated to Massachusetts. He joined the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, where he spent the next four years as an assistant district attorney. Then, in 1989, Despotopulos returned to private practice, this time as an associate at Gould & Ettenberg. He handled criminal defense matters for the firm until 1989, at which time he resumed his post at the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office until his appointment to the bench.