Gov. Maura Healey nominated two new Superior Court judges last week, both of whom her office pointed out live in western Massachusetts, after a group of 20 lawmakers called on the governor to fill several vacant seats in the area.

She nominated Judge Charles Groce III and attorney Jeffrey Trapani to serve as associate justices of the Superior Court.

Groce has been an associate justice of the District Court for 13 years, currently serving as the first justice of Westfield District Court. He also serves as the presiding justice of the Court Assisted Supervised Treatment Program in Springfield District Court, a specialty court aimed at reducing recidivism by promoting rehabilitation, treatment and healing for those affected by substance use disorder. Groce is also an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Trapani has “represented individuals, public officials and employees, and municipalities in the defense of personal injury, employment discrimination and civil rights claims for nearly two decades,” according to Healey’s office. He’s currently a partner with Pierce Davis & Perritano LLP out of Holyoke, and previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Suffolk County.

Last month, western Massachusetts lawmakers sent a letter to the Healey administration calling for her to fill vacant judicial seats in that region. They said four of the 11 Superior Court judge positions in that area were unfilled, as well as a District Court position in the Berkshires. They said even with retired judges being recalled to fill in, court dates were getting delayed and backed up.

In a statement announcing Groce and Trapani’s nominations, Healey pointed out that they are from western Massachusetts.

“Both of these nominees are exceptional stewards of justice. Over the course of their respective careers, they’ve been able to bring empathy and consideration to the court while delivering for the people of western Massachusetts,” Healey said. “We look forward to working with the Governor’s Council to seek confirmation of these two nominees.”

The day after Healey’s announcement, Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs, representing the 8th District, announced she is accepting public feedback on the two nominations in advance of the confirmation hearings.

“In the past I have held public hearings locally to try to alleviate the travel issues many residents of western Massachusetts face attending hearings in Boston,” Jacobs said in a statement. “But moving these nominees forward speedily to help reduce the backlog of cases in our overburdened Superior Courts is something I feel strongly about. Since I also feel strongly about getting public input for all of our judicial nominees, I invite anyone who would like to share their opinions on Judge Groce or Attorney Trapani to reach out to me directly via email at tara.j.jacobs@mass.gov.”

Jacobs will chair full public hearings on both nominees in Governor’s Council chambers at the State House in Boston on Wednesday, April 30. Feedback submitted before that date will have the opportunity to be entered into the public record. If the nominees are confirmed by the Governor’s Council, they will be sworn in by Healey and can begin serving in Superior Court.