---
title: "Kathleen Sandman | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathleen-sandman-massachusetts-probate-family-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Kathleen Sandman

Massachusetts Probate and Family Court · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Probate and Family Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording and photography

Scope: statewide

In Massachusetts courts, photography, recording, or electronic transmission in a courtroom or related judicial space requires prior authorization from the judge or magistrate supervising that place, subject to Rule 1:19's separate provisions for registered news media.

Evidence excerpt: No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, in any courtroom, hearing room, office, chambers or lobby of a judge or magistrate without prior authorization

[Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-justices)
- [Official roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-justices)
- [Massachusetts Trial Court official judicial roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-justices)
- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Appointment: Kathleen A. Sandman was selected as an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court by Governor Charlie Baker in 2017, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Stephen M. Rainaud.
- Prior to that, she was a partner at Connor, Sandman & Weisser, LLP, and had experience as an associate at various law firms

### Education

- Western New England College School of Law in — J.D. (1987)
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Siena College in 1984

### Additional information

- Sole practitioner focusing on Probate and Family Court litigation, personal injury law, and real estate law since 2009.
- Legal Career: Before her appointment, Sandman had a diverse legal career.
- She serves in the Circuit Division, presiding over cases in Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Franklin Counties



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-20acbd9da185f40e1f10b2b2) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts). Collected 2026-07-26.