Gabrielle Wolohojian Explained

Gabrielle Wolohojian
Office:	Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Appointer:	Maura Healey
Term Start:	April 22, 2024
Predecessor:	David A. Lowy
Education:	Rutgers University (BA) Hertford College, Oxford (DPhil) Columbia University (JD)

Gabrielle R. Wolohojian is an American lawyer who serves as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.^[1] She previously served as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

Early life and career

The granddaughter of Armenian immigrants, Wolohojian graduated from Rutgers University in 1982, where she majored in English. She earned a doctorate in English language and literature from the University of Oxford in 1987.^[2] She graduated from Columbia Law School with a Juris Doctor in 1989, where she served as an editor of the Columbia Law Review. After graduating from law school, she clerked for Judge Rya W. Zobel of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Judge Bailey Aldrich of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She then entered private practice, joining the firm that would become WilmerHale, where she was elected a partner.^[3]

In 1994, Wolohojian left private practice for 16 months to serve as an associate independent counsel on the investigation of Jim Guy Tucker, the former governor of Arkansas. She worked under Independent Counsel Robert B. Fiske.^[4]

Judicial career

On November 14, 2007, Governor Deval Patrick nominated Wolohojian to the appeals court to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of Associate Justice Kenneth Laurence. After being confirmed by the Governor's Council, she took the oath of office on February 7, 2008.On February 7, 2024, Governor Maura Healey nominated her to serve as an associate justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.^{[5] [6]} She was confirmed by the Governor's Council on February 28, 2024.^[7]

Personal life

Wolohojian previously had a long-term romantic relationship with Maura Healey, who has served as the governor of Massachusetts since 2023.

As of 2022, she performs with the Boston Civic Symphony.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Doran . Sam . Wolohojian sworn in as Mass. Supreme Judicial Court justice . . April 22, 2024.
2. Web site: Dumcius . Gintautas. Cambridge resident, described as a perfectionist, in line for appeals court post . Cambridge Chronicle . November 28, 2007. December 16, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131216220750/http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x2031282145. December 16, 2013.
3. Web site: Associate Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian . Commonwealth of Massachusetts . July 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425214940/https://www.mass.gov/service-details/associate-justice-gabrielle-r-wolohojian . April 25, 2022 . live.
4. Web site: Governor Patrick Nominates Three Distinguished Candidates to the Appeals Court . Office of the Governor of Massachusetts . November 14, 2007 . December 16, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131216204256/http://www.mass.gov/governor/administration/jnc/appeals-court-nominations.html . December 16, 2013 .
5. Web site: Leblanc . Steve . 2024-02-07 . Massachusetts governor nominates former romantic partner to state's highest court . 2024-02-21 . AP News . en.
6. Web site: Van Buskirk . Chris . February 7, 2024 . Healey nominates ex-partner Gabrielle Wolohojian to serve on Supreme Judicial Court . Boston Herald.
7. Web site: LeBlanc . Steve . February 28, 2024 . Ex-romantic partner of Massachusetts governor wins council OK to serve on state’s highest court . Associated Press.