If confirmed, Justice Wolohojian will fill the vacancy left by Justice David Lowy.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has nominated her former long-term partner to fill a vacant spot on the state’s highest court.
The Democratic governor announced the nomination of Massachusetts Appeals Court Associate Justice Gabrielle Wolohojian to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court in a statement on Feb. 7.
Ms. Healey said there is “no one more qualified or better prepared” to serve in the role than Justice Wolohojian, adding that her former romantic partner of several years will “bring over three decades of broad trial and appellate experience, including sixteen years on the Appeals Court.”
The statement did not mention her previous relationship with Justice Wolohojian or the fact that they had lived together.
“Justice Wolohojian has served on the Appeals Court with distinction and her work is widely respected by members of the bench and bar,” said Ms. Healey.
“She has an exceptional understanding of the law and a strong commitment to the administration of justice. I thank the Supreme Judicial Nominating Commission for their work throughout this process and I am grateful to the Governor’s Council for their careful consideration of her nomination” she continued.
Justice Wolohojian is the second nomination to the state’s highest court by Ms. Healey, who is the first woman and first open member of the LGBT community to be elected governor of Massachusetts. She was nominated to the Appeals Court by Gov. Deval Patrick in 2007 and took to the bench in 2008. Since then, she has heard over 2,700 appeals and authored more than 900 decisions, according to Ms. Healey’s office.
Past Relationship
Justice Wolohojian serves as the chair of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure and as the chair of the Appeals Court’s committees on judicial mentoring and training, education, policies and practices, and en banc rehearings.
She is also a regular speaker on appellate practice.
