The Hon. Paula J. Clifford is an associate justice of the Hingham District Court in Massachusetts. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Deval Patrick on September 12, 2014.
Clifford earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and American studies from Boston College in 1993. She then completed a J.D. at Suffolk University Law School in 1997. As a law student, Clifford interned in the Gang Unit of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (1994 to 1996). She also worked as a law clerk at Hogan, Roache & Malone as well as a volunteer for Suffolk Voluntary Defender Program.
After graduating from law school, Clifford began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in the Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Unit of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. During her tenure there, she also sat as the Supervising Assistant District Attorney for the New Bedford District Court.
Then, in 2002, Clifford entered into private practice. She started as an associate at Bonner Kiernan Trebach & Crociata in Boston, rising through the ranks to become a partner in 2013. While in private practice, Clifford represented corporate defendants and insurance companies in cases involving product liability, medical malpractice, and employment discrimination matters.
Her memberships have included the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Rhode Island Bar Association, the New Hampshire Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, and the New Bedford Bar Association. She also sat on the Board of Directors of MADD and the North Weymouth Civic Association.
Clifford was born in Quincy and raised in Weymouth. She was a resident of Weymouth at the time of her appointment. Her husband has served as a Massachusetts State Trooper.