Robin Toon sworn in as associate justice of Massachusetts Appeals Court

Robert Earl "Robin" Toon Jr. was ceremonially sworn in as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court at the John Adams Courthouse in a program that included remarks from Chief Justice Mark Green, Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

Chief Justice Mark Green opened the event with introductions and thanked the judicial nominating commission and staff who participated in the selection process. Professor Brett Dignam delivered a prepared tribute describing Toon's early public-interest litigation, clerkships and appellate advocacy, including a multi-hundred-hour effort to rebuild a civil-rights case while still a student.

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell praised Toon's leadership at the Office of the Attorney General, noting he "was confirmed unanimously by the governor's council," and described his tenure as chief of the government bureau, where he oversaw attorneys across multiple divisions. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll also commended Toon's qualifications and mentorship record.

Governor Maura Healey, who nominated Toon, praised his decades of legal work and public service and recounted a March 2020 episode in which Toon urged early pandemic precautions; the governor said she publicly apologized to him during the remarks. She then led attendees in a ceremonial oath. The governor asked assembled guests to raise their hands and repeat the words of the oath.

Justice Toon recited the oath in full, stating, "I, Robert Earl Toon junior, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will support the constitution thereof, so help me, God," and pledged to "faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, according to the best of my abilities and understanding." He thanked the governor, the attorney general, his mentors, colleagues and family, and vowed to carry out his oath "to serve the people of the Commonwealth, and ensure equal justice under the law."

Chief Justice Green noted that Justice Toon had been officially sworn in earlier in January and described the afternoon as a ceremonial public swearing allowing colleagues, friends and family to celebrate. The program concluded with an invitation to a reception hosted by Justice Toon and his family.

The ceremony highlighted Toon's career in civil-rights litigation, his work at the Southern Center for Human Rights, his clerkship experience and service advising the Senate Judiciary Committee, and his leadership at the attorney general's office. No votes or legislative actions were taken at the event; it functioned as a public, ceremonial recognition of an appointment already completed earlier in the year.