Hon. Dennis P. Sargent is first justice of the Clinton District Court in Massachusetts. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Deval Patrick in 2013. He filled the vacancy created by the passing of the Hon. Martha A. Scannell Brennan (deceased).
He first presided as an associate justice of the Clinton District Court.
Sargent attended Fitchburg State College, where he received a B.S. in history in 1987. He then completed a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1990.
After law school, Sargent briefly practiced as an associate at Pusateri, Pusateri & O'Brien before joining the Judge Advocate General’s Corps with the United States Air Force in 1991. During his four years in military service, he held the positions of assistant staff judge advocate, defense counsel, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. Sargent was stationed with the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Germany and the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He completed his military service in 1995 holding the rank of Captain.
After leaving the military, he then entered into solo practice. Sargent maintained his private practice in Clinton until 2001 at which time became a partner at the Law Offices of Sargent & Williamson. After practicing as a partner there for four years, he briefly practiced as an associate at Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple, P.C. before returning to solo practice in 2006.
In addition to his private practice, Sargent served as a town solicitor for the Town of Clinton beginning in 1996. In that position, Sargent represented Clinton in legal issues before the Appeals Court, Superior Court, Housing Court, and the District Court. He also handled cases at the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, the Appellate Tax Board, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Civil Service Commission, and Unemployment Appeals as well as served as a legal advisor to the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the Board of Health, and the Zoning/Planning Boards. Sargent remained town solicitor there until 2008.
It was at that same time, Sargent left his solo practice to become an assistant clerk magistrate with the Clinton District Court. He was serving in that capacity at the time of his appointment to the same bench in 2013.
His memberships included the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Worcester County Bar Association, the Clinton Area Bar Association, the Association of Magistrates and Assistant Clerks, the Worcester County Bar Advocate, the City Solicitor/Town Counsel Association, the Massachusetts Conveyancers Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Sargent was born and raised in Clinton, where he resided at the time of his appointment.