Peabody Attorney to Serve as Probate Court Justice

A long-time Peabody attorney will serve as an associate justice on the Probate and Family Court after the Governor’s Council approved the appointment Wednesday

Melanie Gargas served as a law clerk and associate at two Boston firms before launching the firm Travers & Gargas in 1995. Since 2000 she has practiced as the principal attorney at her own law firm, reported the Salem News.

Now, after workings as an attorney for over 20 years, she’s making the jump to the bench — and she’s brining a lot of experience with her.

“She not only has the life experience of being a single mother, going to school, going to college, going to law school evenings, and then to marry and have a blended family,” Councilor Marilyn Devaney told the Salem news. “So she has that life experience she’s bringing to the bench.”

The Governor’s Council was nearly unanimous in passing Gargas’ appointment. Only Councilor Robert Jubinville voted against her, because he felt she didn’t have a good enough understanding of addiction issues, reported the Salem News.