Why I am Running for Governor’s Council
I am running for Governor’s Council because I believe deeply in a fair, impartial, and equitable justice system. Fair-minded judges are at the heart of such a system, and a fair and impartial judiciary is the bedrock of our democracy. Equally important, the safety and well-being of children, families, and communities must always remain at the forefront when evaluating those entrusted with positions of public responsibility.
My path to judicial reform
Why I joined this race
My commitment to judicial reform grew out of my own personal experience with the court system. With over a decade of experience as a trial attorney, I understand how our courts are supposed to function and how profoundly judicial decisions affect the lives of individuals and families. While many judges serve with integrity and dedication, I have seen firsthand the need for greater consistency, accountability, and impartiality in our judiciary, especially in matters affecting families and children.
That experience led me to raise my hand to be an advocate for family court reform. In 2020, I volunteered to be Chair of Family Court Reform for Jane Does Well, a Massachusetts divorce-support organization. In 2022, I co-founded and became Executive Director of Mass Family Advocacy Coalition (MFAC).
Through my advocacy work, I have collaborated with the Probate and Family Court and other advocates, attorneys, survivors, educators, researchers, and community members committed to strengthening public confidence in our courts and ensuring that families are treated fairly.
My efforts have included bringing together stakeholders to advance meaningful reform, advocating for legislation to aid domestic abuse survivors, and writing amicus briefs to appellate courts addressing injustices affecting families across the Commonwealth.
Over the years, I have listened to domestic abuse survivors struggling to be heard and caregivers facing financial insecurity after sacrificing careers to support their families. I have seen children caught in systems that fail to protect them, and families’ life savings vanish as cases drag on needlessly in an overwhelmed court system. I have heard time and time again that families’ futures depend on “who is your judge.” The quality, fairness, and integrity of our courts should never depend on chance.
These experiences have reinforced my belief that judicial appointments matter deeply and have lasting consequences for families and communities.. The judges who serve on our courts make decisions that affect the safety, stability, and future of countless families.
A Governor’s Council vote on April 1, 2026, underscored the importance of having Governor’s Councillors who remain independent, accountable, and responsive to the people they represent—not only during a campaign, but throughout their entire term of service. During the 2024 campaign for Governor’s Council District 3, a candidate promised domestic violence survivors that protecting survivors and their children would be a priority if elected. By voting on April 1 to confirm a judicial nominee despite the concerns raised by domestic violence survivors and advocates, that candidate broke faith with the survivors who had trusted that promise.
I joined this race because the people of District 3 deserve a Councilor who listens carefully to all voices, exercises independent judgment, and understands the real-life impact judicial appointments have on families and communities. I am committed to being that Councillor, and I’m dedicated to ensuring that our courts serve the needs of families and communities.
Margie Palladino
BA, Colgate University
JD, Boston College Law School
Current Experience
- Co-founder and Executive Director of Mass Family Advocacy Coalition for family court reform
- Founder and principal of alumni-community engagement business for law schools and universities
- Board member of Alumni Council of Colgate University (alma mater)
Prior Experience
- Trial Attorney and Partner of the Boston law firm now known as Holland & Knight Boston
- Board member of the Wellesley League of Women Voters, legislative liaison for the Massachusetts League of Women Voters, and elected Town Meeting member
- Board member of Alumni Council of Boston College Law School (alma mater)
- Trustee of Human Relations Service, community mental health services organization serving Wellesley, Weston, & Wayland families