The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court appointed Martin V. Tomassian of Edgartown to a five-year term on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, which ensures that low-income people with critical, non-criminal legal problems would have access to legal information, advice and representation. It is the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs.

“Martin is a proven leader within the Massachusetts legal community, and he will be a tremendous asset to the MLAC board,” said Lonnie Powers, the corporation’s executive director, in a press statement. “He also is the first MLAC board member from the Cape and Islands, and we are looking forward to having that perspective represented.”

Mr. Tomassian, who was nominated by the presidents of the Massachusetts county bar associations, is a principle of Tomassian & Tomassian of Edgartown and Watertown. He currently is president of the Dukes County Bar Association and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association Board of Delegates.

The corporation is governed by an 11 member board of directors, 10 of whom are appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court. The 11th is the Chief Justice for Administration and Management of the Trial Court or that Justice’s designee.