Judge Joseph P. Harrington, Jr.: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Joseph P. Harrington, Jr. is an associate justice of the New Bedford District Court in Massachusetts. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Charlie Baker in 2019.

Harrington was initially appointed to the Fall River District Court.

He attended Boston College, where he received a B.A. in economics in 1991. Harrington then completed a J.D. at the New England School of Law in 1994.

While in law school, he served as a law clerk at Healy & Healy, P.C. and subsequently joined the firm as an associate after graduating. Harrington left his practice there the following year to work as an assistant district attorney with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. During his three years in that position, he prosecuted cases in the District, Juvenile, and Superior Courts.

In 1998, Harrington left the public sector to open his own litigation solo practice, where he remained until assuming the bench in 2019.

His memberships included the New Bedford Bar Association (president, vice president), the Bristol County Bar Association, and the New Bedford/Wareham Boys and Girls Club (Board of Directors).

Harrington grew up in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph Harrington, a former criminal defense and probate attorney and New Bedford city councilor. His late uncle, Edward F. Harrington, was also a criminal defense attorney and served as a former mayor of New Bedford.

Harrington and his wife Tina have three sons.