Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall Will Retire

Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall announced that she will retire from the Court by the end of October, 2010, or when her successor is appointed and confirmed, whichever is sooner.  Chief Justice Marshall has served on the Court for fourteen years, three as an Associate Justice and eleven as Chief Justice.  She was the second woman appointed to the Court and is the first woman to serve as Chief Justice in the 318-year history of the Court.

At a recent press conference in the John Adams Courthouse, Chief Justice Marshall said,  "My decision to leave this Court four years before the mandatory retirement age of seventy is predicated singularly on a personal reason: my husband, Anthony Lewis, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.  Tony and I are both at an age when we have learned to value, value deeply, the precious gift of time.  And so, with deep regret, but also with deep conviction, I will relinquish my role as Chief Justice in order that, without distraction, Tony and I may enjoy our final seasons together."

"I cannot take this step without acknowledging that it has been a wonderfully rewarding experience for me to serve the people of Massachusetts as a Justice on this historic Court, the oldest appellate court in continuous existence in our nation, which has long served to protect the rights of all of the people in this Commonwealth, impartially, fairly, equally."

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Discovering Justice Offers Summer Walk-In Tours of the John Adams Courthouse

Tour participants in one of the Courthouse exhibit rooms.

This summer, Discovering Justice is offering free weekly walk-in tours of the John Adams Courthouse in Boston . No reservation is necessary; simply come to the Courthouse lobby (One Pemberton Square ) any Thursday at 11:00 a.m. until Labor Day.

Tours introduce visitors to the history, art, and architecture of the building and include information about the Massachusetts court system. Tours are led by knowledgeable volunteer docents (tour guides), a diverse group of lawyers, retired teachers and experienced museum guides. 

During the hour-long tour, visitors will view many of  the points of interest in the Courthouse, including the Great Hall, the Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Courtroom, the Social Law Library, and the courtroom of the Supreme Judicial Court, as well as the two legal history exhibits located adjacent to the Great Hall.  The current exhibits are entitled "John Adams: Architect of American Government," and "Sacco and Vanzetti: Justice on Trial." 

Discovering Justice also offers free tours to groups and individuals on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the year.  Reservations must be made in advance, with the exception of summer walk-in tours. More information on scheduling a tour is available here.