Bill WeldWilliam (Bill) WeldRalph Gants, chief justice of Massachusetts supreme court, dies at 65 The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden visits Kenosha | Trump's double-voting suggestion draws fire | Facebook clamps down on election ads Biden picks up endorsements from nearly 100 Republicans MORE (R) in 1997. In 2014, Patrick swore him in as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s 37th chief justice. Our hearts and prayers are with his family. The chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has died at 65, his colleagues announced on Monday. The New Rochelle, New York, native was appointed as an associate justice of the court in 2009 and was sworn in as the chief justice by Gov. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Deval PatrickDeval PatrickRalph Gants, chief justice of Massachusetts supreme court, dies at 65 It's as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process Top Democratic super PACs team up to boost Biden MORE (D). “It will underscore and it will renew people’s faith in the system, and without that, the system collapses.”. Although the claim is disputed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the SJC claims the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Americas, with a recognized history dating to the establishment of the Massachusetts Superior Court of Judicature in 1692 under the charter of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. As leader of Massachusetts’ top court, Gants had sought to explain troubling racial disparities in incarceration rates and commissioned an unprecedented study by Harvard Law School researchers that was released last week. A graduate of Georgetown University and Harvard Law School, she is also the daughter of former U.S. Attorney Wayne Budd. BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Justice Kimberly Budd was nominated to be chief of the state’s highest court by Gov. “Even though she had already been on the Court, giving her a leadership position demonstrates to a lot of women of color, and also especially Black women,” Adelstein said, “that they, too, can have this kind of important leadership role shaping the law in their state.”, Your email address will not be published. If confirmed, Budd would reach the mandatory retirement age in October 2036. He was 65. Jade Brown, a lecturer at Boston University School of Law, said Budd’s nomination should be celebrated. “I see some things a little bit differently than my colleagues, and I think it’s that perspective that’s been shaped by my experiences as a woman of color that allows me to bring new ideas and new perspectives,” Brown said. At age 54, Budd would also be the court's youngest Chief in about 150 years, since Chief Justice Horace Gray was appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States. (617) 523-7771, Justice Kimberly S. Budd to be Massachusetts Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, Ask Dr John – Regarding Child Safety Seats, The Enduring Inspiration of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Charlie Baker has announced his pick for a new associate justice to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Gants disclosed last week that he suffered a heart attack on Sept. 4 and underwent surgery to insert two stents in an occluded artery. ELECTION 2020: MA & NH Results And Town-By-Town Breakdown Menu "It is with deep sadness that the Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court announce the death of Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants. If confirmed, Budd will become the first female black chief justice in the history of the court. “He was a dedicated public servant of the highest order and sought to do justice his entire 40-year legal career,” Baker said. ), By viewing our video content, you are accepting the terms of our. BOSTON (WWLP/SHNS) – Governor Charlie Baker announced Wednesday morning the nomination of a new chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. Janna Adelstein, research and program associate in the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, said she hopes Budd’s nomination will inspire women of color to participate at the highest levels of the judiciary. Here in Massachusetts, several state lawmakers and local leaders gave their thoughts. He earned a B.A., cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1983, and graduated magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law in 1987. By continuing to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. The associate justices of the Supreme Judicial Court on Monday said in a statement, “It is with deep sadness that the Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court announce the death of Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants. Gov. The chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is appointed by the governor with council approval, serving until they reach 70 years old, the age of mandatory retirement. Budd joined the court as an associate justice in 2016. Charles Baker (R). Budd joined the court as an associate justice in 2016. The total number of confirmed cases since March statewide is 164,936. Charlie Baker on Wednesday nominated Associate Justice Kimberly Budd as the next chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, paving the way for her to become the first Black woman to lead the body. “She has firsthand knowledge what it’s like to be a working woman attorney, trying to juggle the demands of parenthood and being an attorney, especially an attorney practicing in a courtroom atmosphere.”. This is how she got it back. The seat went vacant when Chief Justice Ralph Gants passed away earlier this year. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), New COVID rules in Mass. If confirmed, Budd would reach the mandatory retirement age in October 2036. The researchers found that Black and Latino defendants in Massachusetts tend to face more severe initial charges than white defendants and get longer prison sentences. (WWLP) - The word got out quickly after the Associated Press and other media markets announced Joe Biden as the President-elect. I trust the Executive Council will also acknowledge her many gifts and confirm her historic appointment promptly. President of the Massachusetts Bar Association Denise Murphy said Gants’ death left a “gaping hole” in the Court. “He led the Supreme Judicial Court with intelligence, integrity and distinction. 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