Neil A. Hourihan: Recent Cases and Legal Outcomes

The Hon. Neil A. Hourihan (Ret.) served as an associate justice for the Cambridge District Court in Massachusetts. Hourihan was appointed to the bench by former Governor Deval Patrick on April 16, 2014, filling a vacancy created by the elevation of the Hon. Laurence D. Pierce to the Massachusetts Superior Court. He retired upon reaching the mandatory age of retirement in 2016.

Hourihan earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 1969. He spent the next several years working as an adjuster for the Hartford Insurance Company before completing a J.D. at Suffolk University Law School in 1974.

After graduating from law school, Hourihan began his legal career as an attorney in the Essex County Public Defender’s Office. Two years later, in 1977, Hourihan entered into private practice. He first joined Costello, Hourihan, Frattoroli & Barrett, eventually leaving to open his own law office in 1985. Over the course of his legal career, Hourihan specialized in criminal defense matters.

His memberships have included the Massachusetts Bar Association. He has also sat on the Board of Lifebridge Homeless Shelter and served as the Vice President of Seeds of Hope Housing and the Director of The Crombie Street Legal Clinic.

Hourihan was born in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was a resident of Dorchester at the time of his appointment. A veteran of the United States Army, Hourihan has raised five foster children.