Press Release  At Ceremonial Swearing In, Supreme Judicial Court Justice Budd Says, "It is through the Courts that the Rule of Law is enforced— it is the Rule of Law which stands between order and chaos."

Boston, MA — Governor Charlie Baker today delivered a ceremonial administration of the Oath of Office in Faneuil Hall, swearing in the Honorable Kimberly S. Budd as Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.

“Justice Budd has set herself apart by displaying her compassion, her dedication to equality, and her commitment to impartiality as a well-respected member of the Commonwealth’s Judiciary,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am certain that she will utilize her wealth of experience and her sharp intellect on the Supreme Judicial Court to ensure justice and fairness for the citizens of Massachusetts.”

"It is the rule of law that serves to protect all of us, certainly to include those who are considered different because of race, nationality, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, among other qualifying distinctions," said Justice Budd. "It is through the Courts that the Rule of Law is enforced, so that all of us, regardless of our station in life, are able to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is the Rule of Law which stands between order and chaos.”

Retired Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland, a Professor at Northeastern School of Law, and the first African-American Chief Justice of the SJC, served as Master of Ceremonies.

Speakers included Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Geraldine S. Hines, Michael D. Ricciuti, Esquire, K&L Gates, LLP, and Governor Charlie Baker. After Governor Baker administered the ceremonial Oath of Office, Justice Budd delivered remarks.  

“I stand before you in awe. I am humbled and honored that you have come to share this joyous occasion with me and my family,” said Justice Budd. “To be sworn into the oldest, continuously functioning appellate court in the western hemisphere is both the most thrilling – yet perhaps, the most daunting – experience of my entire professional career.”

Justice Budd was administered the official oath on August 24, 2016, before the start of the new court year in order to begin hearing oral arguments in time for the Court's Sitting Week in September. Justice Budd fills the seat previously held by Retired Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Fernande Duffly.   

Justice Budd earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University, graduating magna cum laude in 1988, and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1991.

She began her legal career as a law clerk to Chief Justice Joseph P. Warner of the Massachusetts Appeals Court in 1991. She was a litigation associate at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C., before serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts in the Major Crimes and Drug Units. After that, she was a University Attorney for Harvard University in the General Counsel’s Office. She later served as Director of the Community Values program at Harvard Business School.

Justice Budd was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court by Governor Deval Patrick in 2009. In 2016 she served as the Regional Administrative Justice for Middlesex Criminal Business.  

Justice Budd teaches in MCLE and Bar Association programs, is a former adjunct instructor at New England Law, and has taught trial advocacy at Harvard Law School.

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