News

Governor nominates Swampscott lawyer for the Parole Board

By Julie Manganis
Staff writer
Published: October 29, 2009

SWAMPSCOTT — A lawyer from Swampscott has been nominated to the state's Parole Board by Gov. Deval Patrick.

Cesar Archilla, a former assistant district attorney who was a supervising prosecutor in both Peabody and Salem district courts, was one of four nominees to the state panel that determines when prisoners are released from custody.

Archilla, 46, a Swampscott resident, is now a criminal defense attorney with Andrews and Updegraph, a Salem firm.

Prior to graduating from Suffolk University School of Law and getting his law license in 1999, Archilla worked in banking.

In 2008, Archilla, a Democrat, ran unsuccessfully to replace then-Rep. Doug Petersen, who was stepping down to take a position in the Patrick administration as commissioner of agriculture.

The governor also renominated Salem resident Pamela Lombardini, 54, of Salem to a second term on the board. Lombardini, a former federal probation officer, was also a member of the Salem Planning Board until last month, when she resigned.

Thomas Merigan Jr., another former federal probation officer, was also renominated. Roger Michel, a staff attorney with the Appeals Court, was also nominated.

"I am confident that these well-respected members of the public safety and legal community will serve the Parole Board and their commonwealth well," Patrick said in a press release. "They each bring with them a combination of intellect, experience and a deep commitment to justice."

Parole Board appointments must be confirmed by the Governor's Council.