Massachusetts General Laws Part III. Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases (Ch. 211-262) Ch. 221, § 4

The justices of the supreme judicial court shall appoint for a term of three years from the date of their appointment, and may remove, first assistant clerks of courts for the counties of: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Worcester and in Suffolk, a first assistant clerk of the supreme judicial court.

First assistant clerks of courts except in Suffolk county shall act as assistant clerks of the supreme judicial court, the superior court department and the county commissioners.