The chief judge of the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts has decided to become a senior judge next year, creating a vacancy that will give the district court a new, additional judge.
Mark Wolf informed President Barack Obama of his decision Tuesday. Wolf said he will continue to provide “substantial service,” though senior judges have a lighter caseload.
Wolf was nominated to the court by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
His seven-year term as chief judge ends on Dec. 31. Wolf said he will be 66 by Jan. 1, when he will begin his status as a senior judge.
Wolf recently issued a landmark ruling, ordering the state Department of Correction to provide sex-reassignment surgery for a convicted murderer.
Judge Patti Saris will become chief judge when Wolf’s term ends.
