Elected in 2006 to his first term, Michael ran unopposed and was elected to his second term in 2012 as Clerk of Courts of Middlesex Superior Court. As Clerk Magistrate, he oversees the filing, procedure, and ultimate disposition of the approximately 5000 civil and 1800 criminal cases that commence each year in the Woburn and Lowell court locations. He manages the day-to-day operations of 17 full time courtrooms and the duties of over 60 employees. As Clerk Magistrate, he presides over the arraignments and pretrial procedures of all criminal cases that have commenced in the grand jury of Middlesex County. Presently, he holds the distinction of serving as President of the Massachusetts Superior Court Clerks Association.
Previously he served fourteen years as a Cambridge City Councillor. He was first elected in 1993 and while on the Cambridge City Council he had the distinction of serving two concurrent terms as Mayor of Cambridge from January 2002 to January 2004.
Prior to being elected as Middlesex Superior Clerk as well as serving on the Cambridge City Council, Michael Sullivan was an Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex County District Court from 1986 to 1991 and Assistant Attorney General from 1991 to 1994. During his time on the Council he has chaired both the Finance and Public Safety Committees. While a Cambridge City Councillor he served on the National League of Cities’ Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Advocacy Committee, as well as the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Finance Committee.
Michael is a graduate of the Martin Luther King Elementary School on Putnam Avenue and Boston College High School. He received his BA degree in Economics and Political Science from Boston College and received his JD degree from Boston College Law School.Michael is married to Denise (Morris) Sullivan and they have two sons, Michael age 15 and Paul age 14.