SWAMPSCOTT — Edward Krippendorf has been nominated by Gov. Maura Healey to serve as a judge in the District Court.

After receiving an undergraduate degree from Salem State, Krippendorf, who is from Swampscott, began his legal career as a criminal investigator for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. He soon returned to school to earn his juris doctor from the New England School of Law, where he graduated cum laude. He then returned to Suffolk County as an assistant district attorney prosecuting cases in municipal, district, and superior courts.

For the majority of his legal career, Krippendorf has served as a criminal defense attorney as a partner of Eisenstadt, Krippendorf, and Galvin Law. He has defended cases that range from misdemeanors to felonies. In addition, he has also represented clients in civil matters such as custody and divorce cases. He now lives in Braintree with his family.

Krippendorf was nominated along with Waltham resident and Assistant Clerk Magistrate Sarah Kennedy.

“Sarah and Edward are two distinguished attorneys who will make excellent additions to the District Court,” Healey said in a press release. “They have dedicated their careers to the law and I look forward to working with the Governor’s Council to confirm their nominations.”

The District Court Department hears criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. Its criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence of up to five years, other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of municipal ordinances and bylaws. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small-claims cases up to $7,000.

Krippendorf and Kennedy now await confirmation from the Governor’s Council to officially join the District Court’s bench.