---
title: "Kimberly S. Budd | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kimberly-s-budd-ma-supreme-judicial-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Kimberly S. Budd

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · Chief Justice

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Chief Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## 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/supreme-judicial-court-justices)
- [Official roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/supreme-judicial-court-justices)
- [Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/supreme-judicial-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

- 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



## 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.