Judge Joan P. Armstrong: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Joan P. Armstrong (Ret.) was an associate justice of the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court in Massachusetts. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Deval Patrick in 2008. She filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Nancy F. Gould (Ret.). Armstrong retired in 2020.

During her tenure on the bench, she also served as first justice of the Probate and Family Court in Suffolk County.

Prior to joining the judiciary, Armstrong was a partner at Murtha Cullina, LLP, where she had practiced since 1992. At the firm, she appeared for many years as a family law litigator before the Probate and Family Courts and served for sixteen years as chair of the firm’s Probate and Family Law Department.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Drew University. Armstrong then completed a J.D. at Suffolk University Law School.

She began her legal career as a law clerk at the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

At the time of her appointment, Armstrong was a resident of South Boston.