[2] He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970 from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

He received his Juris Doctor in 1973 from Suffolk University Law School in Boston.

After spending over a decade in private practice, he served as City Solicitor to the cities of Fitchburg and Gardner and as Town Counsel to the towns of Athol, Lunenburg and Petersham, all located in Massachusetts.

[3] President Obama nominated Hillman to the seat vacated by Judge Nancy Gertner, who retired in 2011.

On February 15, 2012, he received a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.