---
title: "Margot Botsford | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/margot-botsford-4720"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Margot Botsford

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 2007-present
- Retired American jurist who held the role of Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court from 2007 to 2017, and earlier as a judge on the Massachusetts Superior Court for 18 years
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (2007–2017): Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2007 after the death of Justice Martha B. Sosman, she served until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 in March 2017.
- Massachusetts Superior Court (1989–2007): Appointed by Governor Michael Dukakis in 1989, Botsford held the role of an Associate Justice for 18 years
- Practiced law in Boston as an associate at Hill & Barlow and later as a partner at Rosenfeld, Botsford & Krokidas
- held the role of a law clerk to SJC Justice Francis J. Quirico

### Education

- Northeastern University School of Law in — J.D. (1973)
- Barnard College —, Phi Beta Kappa — magna cum laude — B.A. (1969)

### Additional information

- Appointed to this court by Democratic Governor Deval Patrick on July 26, 2007.
- Practitioner, 2006-2006
- legis, 2006-2006
- Born March 16, 1947, New York City.
- Date of birth: 1947-03-16
- Succeeded by Elspeth B. Cypher
- John F. Kennedy School of Government
- Recognition includes the Haskell Cohn Distinguished Judicial Service Award (Boston Bar Association).
- Recognition includes the President’s Award (Boston Bar Association).
- Birth place: New York City

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/4720/margot-botsford/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4720/margot-botsford/)
- [Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4720/margot-botsford/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4720/margot-botsford/)
- [Margot Botsford - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Margot_Botsford)
- [Wikidata: Margot Botsford](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6760665)

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