In 1978, Cornetta served as an assistant district attorney in Essex County, Massachusetts. He then served as town clerk of Saugus, Massachusetts. On March 28, 1980, Cornetta was named temporary town manager. From 1980 to 1981 he was the town manager.[3] He then served as an assistant commissioner and director of the Division of Hearings in the Department of Public Welfare from 1981 to 1983.[2]
In 1983 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Saugus Board of Selectmen.[4]
From 1983 to 1992, Cornetta ran a private law practice.[2]
Judicial career
In 1992, Cornetta was appointed Associate Justice of the Ipswich District Court by Governor William Weld. In 1997 he was named that court's Presiding Justice. In 1998 he was named Presiding Justice of the Salem District Court and Regional Administrative Justice for Region II.[2]
Notable cases
City Bank of South Dakota vs. DeChristoforo. Declaring unconscionable and therefore unenforceable high credit card interest rates[5]
15 Gloucester Parents vs. Gloucester Community Arts Charter School. Upholding school's operation in the city of Gloucester, Massachusetts[6]
Mills vs. AMC Theatres Slip and fall cases in darkened movie theatres are governed by the modern liability theory of "mode of operation", not by traditional negligence law[11]
References
12"ADJUNCT FACULTY". Massachusetts School of Law at Andover. Massachusetts School of Law. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
1234"Honorable Robert A. Cornetta". The Massachusetts Court System. Administrative Office of the Trial Court. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
↑"Weld picks judge for Ipswich court". Boston Globe. March 6, 1992.