Salinger previously was in private practice for 16 years at the Boston firm of Palmer & Dodge, where he became the leader of the firm's telecommunications practice and a member of the firm's executive committee. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Salinger worked on fiscal policy and public finance for the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means, serving on the Committee's staff for eight years. Salinger is a graduate of Tufts University (B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, 1983) and Harvard Law School (J.D. cum laude, 1990). He resides in Arlington. If confirmed, Salinger will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Nancy S. Holtz on January 3, 2012.