Dear Friends,

It's been a busy few weeks since our victory in November, as we
continue to build our team and transition toward a new Administration.

During the campaign, I promised you that I would build a diverse and
dedicated team of experienced, talented, committed professionals who
will work to continue the outstanding legacy of the Middlesex District
Attorney's Office. That is why I am so pleased to announce that we have
taken a major step toward that goal, as I named the members of my
executive leadership team that will head the new Administration
beginning on January 3rd.

I am proud that we've been able to attract and retain this outstanding
group of professionals. This six-person team possesses a diverse blend
of experiences and perspectives; they are excellent lawyers and
effective managers, and they share my commitment to protecting the
people of Middlesex County through progressive and smart preventive
programs and fair, reasonable, aggressive prosecution.

The new executive leadership staff members will be as follows:

* Denise Jefferson Casper , Chief Legal Counsel. Denise brings
extensive experience in the public and private sectors, serving as
an associate in the litigation department at Bingham Dana and as a
trial attorney and Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime Drug
Enforcement Task Force at the U.S. Attorney's Office. She is
currently an instructor at the Boston University Law School .
Denise will act as a top legal advisor, manage the appeals and
training divisions, and oversee investigations and prosecutions
into areas including organized crime, public corruption, and
high-level narcotics, as well as the regional superior court trial
teams.

* John McEvoy, Chief Trial Counsel. John has been critical to
building the stellar reputation of this office. During his career,
he has investigated, prosecuted, and supervised many of the most
serious, high-profile cases in Middlesex County . I am proud that
he has agreed to serve as my chief trial advisor, while continuing
to lead the investigation and prosecution of homicide, child and
elder abuse, and domestic violence matters, as well as the
regional superior court trial teams.

* Patricia Gould, Director of District Courts, Prosecution and
Prevention. Tricia began her work as a prosecutor in the Plymouth
DA's office, went on to serve as Director of APRI, and most
recently served as Director of Training for the MDAA. Tricia will
utilize her extensive prosecution, policy, training and prevention
program experience to manage the Middlesex County district courts,
prosecution, prevention, and juvenile programs. I'm also pleased
that Karen Wells has agreed to join us as Deputy Director with
Tricia. Having worked with Karen in both the Middlesex and the
AG's office, I'm confident she will utilize her vast prosecution
and prevention experience to help direct these efforts.

* Daniel Bennett, Senior Trial Counsel. The addition of Dan
Bennett continues the tradition of attracting the best trial
attorneys to the Middlesex DAO. He has been a prosecutor at
Middlesex and in the Suffolk DA's Gang Unit, and is currently a
criminal defense counsel at Mahoney, Diamond, Bennett and Harnais.
I am confident that his successful and reputable trial experience
on both sides of the V will be invaluable to our office. He will
serve as a top advisor to me in trial matters, and is assigned to
serious felonies, including gang, homicide, and sexual and
physical abuse cases.

* Chris Doherty, General Counsel. Prior to serving as my campaign
manager, Chris served as a prosecutor and supervisor in this
office, most recently in the Lowell District Courts. Before
serving as an Assistant DA, Chris served as a top advisor to
Congressman Marty Meehan, who also was a former Middlesex First
Assistant DA. As General Counsel, Chris will continue prosecuting
cases as well as working with the communications and prevention
departments in developing policy and overseeing our community and
legislative initiatives.

I also have named additional members of our non-legal executive staff,
including:

* Jeffrey Shapiro, Esq., Director of Administration and Finance
* Jean Mejia, Director of Human Resources
* Patrice Provitola, Director of Victim Witness Services
* Corey Welford, Press Secretary
* Meredith Lerner, Deputy Press Secretary
* Chris Mullin, Executive Assistant to the District Attorney

Finally, I am in the process of individually meeting with the more than
100 attorneys in the office, and have been truly impressed by the talent
and the passion that they bring to their job each day.

I am looking forward to the inauguration on January 3rd (we'll have more
details for you as the date gets closer) and then going to work for the
people of Middlesex County .

Once again, I can't thank you enough for your help and support during
the campaign and I hope you are enjoying a healthy and happy holiday season.

Gerard T. Leone Jr.
Middlesex County District Attorney-Elect