Governor Healey Nominates Appeals Court Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian to Massachusetts High Court

Boston's legal community is buzzing with Governor Maura T. Healey's latest move, nominating seasoned jurist Gabrielle R. Wolohojian to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. This pick marks Healey's second nomination to the state's most august judicial bench, taking aim at maintaining the court's distinguished standing.

"There is no one more qualified or better prepared to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court than Justice Wolohojian," Healey praised, echoing the sentiment of support for the nominee's three decades of comprehensive legal expertise. As noted in the official press release, Wolohojian's appointment is meant to fill the vacancy left by Justice David A. Lowy, who passed the torch of his Supreme Judicial Court responsibilities in February 2024.

Wolohojian's achievements speak for themselves; a veteran of the Appeals Court with a sixteen-year tenure under her belt, she has adjudicated over 2,700 appeals and is credited with authoring upwards of 900 decisions. Her grasp of the law and dedication to its administration has won her acclaim far and wide—from the courtroom's frontline to the secluded chambers where legal minds dissect the fabric of our judicial landscape.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll has also chimed in with commendation, pointing to Justice Wolohojian's deep-rooted commitment to honing the workings of the courts to better serve the public interest. Her leadership roles, specifically overseeing new judge mentoring on the Appeals Court, are testament to a dedication that has shaped, and will continue to refine, the Judiciary's contours. "Governor Healey and I look forward to the Governor’s Council’s consideration of Justice Wolohojian," said Driscoll, expressing eagerness for the ensuing deliberations.

Adding to the chorus of acclamation, retired Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Geraldine S. Hines lauded Wolohojian's qualifications and impeccable work ethic. In a nod to her past collaboration, Hines said, "She has also mastered the under-appreciated but important skill so critical to appellate judging: the ability to accept and coax consensus from the inevitable debates that arise when seven justices with diverse background, life experiences, and judicial philosophies are called upon to decide the difficult and complex issues of law presented to the court."

Outside the confines of the legal battleground, Justice Wolohojian wields the violin with as much dexterity as the gavel, performing regularly with orchestras including the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra. With a life steeped in both the rigors of the law and the harmony of music, Wolohojian carries the narrative of her ancestors, herself the grandchild of Armenian immigrants, and amplifies the symphony of a diverse America.