US Attorney
Michael J. Sullivan was appointed in September of 2001 by President George W. Bush as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts directing offices in Boston, Worcester and Springfield comprising approximately 200 attorneys and support staff. During his first year as the U.S. Attorney and under an Executive Order from President Bush, Sullivan has formed the Anti-Terrorism Task Force to combat and prevent future terrorist attacks. In addition to combating terrorism, Sullivan has created a unit devoted to computer hacking/high technology crimes which include identity theft, internet auction and credit card fraud, economic espionage, copyright and trademark violations. Sullivan continues his mission of protecting our youth and our communities by developing a Community Prosecution and Crime Reduction Unit which seeks to develop highly targeted gun violence reduction strategies consistent with the President's Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Through these innovative efforts Sullivan has elicited unprecedented cooperation amongst federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Prior to his current position, he was appointed District Attorney of Plymouth County by Governor William F. Weld in May 1995, following the death of William C. O'Malley. He was elected to the position in November, 1996, and again in 1998. As District Attorney, Sullivan had expanded the role of the District Attorney's Office by creating unique and nontraditional partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, educators, service providers, local businesses and community members. He became a leader in the fight against child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. One of Sullivan's top priorities during his tenure as District Attorney was to address the issue of unsolved homicides in the County. This initiative resulted in the resolution of a significant number of murders.
Sullivan's career in government began in 1990, when he was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served for three terms until his appointment as District Attorney. As a legislator, Sullivan served on the Education, Local Affairs, Commerce and Labor, Ways and Means and Post Audit and Oversight Committees. Sullivan's priorities included Education Reform, Worker's Compensation Reform, Criminal Justice Reform and restoring aid to local communities.
Prior to his career in government, Sullivan was employed at the Gillette Company for sixteen years, starting as a stock clerk at the age of eighteen, and holding positions in human resource management, quality operations and Assistant to the President. While employed at Gillette, he graduated from Boston College cum laude and Suffolk University Law School cum laude. He also practiced law in the private sector as a law partner with McGovern & Sullivan, P.C. from 1989-1995 and as an Associate Attorney with the law firm of Bolles & Pritchard from 1984 through 1989.
