GREENFIELD — After receiving rave reviews during public hearings, Alexandra Flanders of Greenfield has been appointed by the state’s Governor’s Council as an associate justice of Probate and Family Court.

Wednesday’s appointment, which followed a hearing before the council on June 26. Flanders was nominated for the judgeship by Gov. Maura Healey. Her most recent role with the court, which she’s been associated with since 2013, is as a judicial case manager.

During Flanders’ testimony, members of the Governor’s Council asked her numerous questions, including how she felt about cases when a parent wants to move a great distance away and take the child with them. Flanders said those can be the most difficult cases, and she would consider the disruption to the child’s life as one of the most important factors.

“This is a time when the child’s interest takes priority,” said Flanders.

As a child, Flanders said she grew up hearing about her parents’ dedication to community and helping others. Before she was born, they lived in Honduras, where her father helped patients with mental health challenges and her mother worked in a children’s hospital. The family later returned to the U.S. and moved to Orange. When she was 8, Flanders’ parents separated and she saw how hard her mother, now a single parent, worked to raise her and her younger brother.

“Her courage and determination in the face of very challenging circumstances have provided a lifelong example of persistence and grit, and I am so proud to be her daughter,” Flanders said.

Among Flanders’ early work in the legal field was for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) in New York City. This was around the time of the AIDS epidemic, and she helped patients, some with weeks or months to live, with their wills or other legal documents.

“I was the face of legal help for these patients and it was of vital importance that I treated them with dignity, with respect and compassion,” Flanders said.

Of her time with the Probate and Family Court, Flanders said the staff handles cases that matter the most to people, whether that is creating families through adoption or handling the estates of deceased family members.

“Our staff meet people where they are without judgment,” Flanders said. “We strive to be open-minded and curious.”

According to the state’s website, Flanders’ job as judicial case manager makes her responsible for providing legal expertise to judges and responding to questions from staff, attorneys and the public. The website states she was involved in the creation of the first family treatment court in Massachusetts, which serves families affected by substance use disorder. Flanders earned a bachelor’s degree from Bard College in New York and a law degree from New York University School of Law.

The Probate and Family Court Department handles matters that involve families and children, such as divorce, child support and wills.

Beth Crawford, a retired Probate and Family Court judge, was among those who testified in support of Flanders. She told the Governor’s Council that of all the people she has written letters or testified in support for, Flanders “is by far the most qualified person I’ve ever recommended.”

Crawford said the two began working together in Franklin County at the height of the opioid crisis, and dealt with an “overwhelming” number of cases involving substance abuse disorder. They worked to create the first family treatment court in Massachusetts, with Flanders writing its handbook.

“As a result she has great experience and knowledge on substance abuse issues,” Crawford said.

Crawford also spoke to Flanders’ work ethic and efficiency, particularly when it comes to managing case schedules, as attorneys in western Massachusetts often practice in multiple courtrooms. She added that Flanders is always helping people, whether it’s families needing to understand the proceedings or attorneys who have questions about a case.

“She will make an exceptional judge who will make us all very proud,” Crawford said.

Assistant Judicial Case Manager Ann Fitzgerald first met Flanders 10 years ago when she started working at the Probate and Family Court as a law clerk. She told the council how she was struck by how so many people turned to Flanders for help.

“I see and hear a revolving parade of people who seek out her guidance each and every day,” Fitzgerald said.

During her testimony, Fitzgerald became very emotional when she spoke of her mother’s death in 2019 and how Flanders assured her that she would never spend a major holiday alone.

“I keep saying to her, this is a great thing for the commonwealth,” Fitzgerald said.

Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or mbowen@atholdailynews.com.