Kimberly S. Budd at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Massachusetts · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kimberly S. Budd
Chief Justice · Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Biography
Professional career
- The 38th Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), serving since December 1, 2020
- Chief Justice: Nominated by Governor Charlie Baker on October 28, 2020, confirmed November 18, 2020, succeeding Ralph D. Gants
- Associate Justice, Massachusetts SJC: Nominated by Governor Charlie Baker in 2016, confirmed August 10, 2016, and sworn in November 21, 2016
- Began as a law clerk to Chief Justice Joseph P. Warner of the Massachusetts Appeals Court
- She then worked as a litigation associate at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, held the role of an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Massachusetts (Major Crimes and Drug Units), and was University Attorney for Harvard University
- Budd was born in Highland Park, Michigan, to Wayne Budd, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
Education
- Harvard Law School — J.D. (1991)
- B.A. in English, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University in 1988.
Additional information
- Born October 23, 1966.
- She graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School
- She later directed the Community Values program at Harvard Business School
- She also serves as an ex officio member of the MIT Corporation
- She continues to teach in MCLE and Bar Association programs, is a former adjunct instructor at New England Law, and has taught trial advocacy at Harvard Law School
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 authorizationSupreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
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Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 22, 2026.
Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster ↗Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗