Martha B. Sosman
Encyclopedia
Martha B. Sosman was an American
lawyer and jurist from Massachusetts
. Appointed by Governor Paul Cellucci
, she served as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
from 2000 until her death.
Sosman was born in Boston
in 1950 and grew up in Concord
. Sosman graduated from Carlisle Regional High School in 1968, from Middlebury College
cum laude, and from the University of Michigan Law School
magna cum laude in 1979. Sosman worked s an attorney with Foley, Hoag & Eliot
in Boston from 1979 to 1984 before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney for two years. Following this, Sosman was chief of the Civil Division at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts
in Boston, serving from 1986 to 1989. In 1989, Sosman left government service to become a found Kern, Sosman, Hagerty, Roach & Carpenter, P.C. with three other Assistant U.S. Attorneys. This was the first all-woman law firm in Massachusetts.
Sosman became an associate justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court
in 1993, and was recruited for the bench by Justice Robert J. Cordy of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Governor Paul Cellucci nominated Sosman to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on September 6, 2000 at the age of 49.
Sosman was one of three justices to dissent in the Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
case, which legalized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts
.
In April 2005, Sosman was diagnosed with breast cancer
. She died of respiratory failure
nearly two years later. Governor Deval Patrick
appointed Margot Botsford
as Sosman's successor on July 26, 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and jurist from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Appointed by Governor Paul Cellucci
Paul Cellucci
Argeo Paul Cellucci is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 69th Governor of Massachusetts and US Ambassador to Canada.-Early life and career:...
, she served as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SJC has the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Western Hemisphere.-History:...
from 2000 until her death.
Sosman was born in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1950 and grew up in Concord
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
. Sosman graduated from Carlisle Regional High School in 1968, from Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
cum laude, and from the University of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
magna cum laude in 1979. Sosman worked s an attorney with Foley, Hoag & Eliot
Foley Hoag
Foley Hoag LLP is a law firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional offices in Washington, DC; Paris; and Waltham, Massachusetts. The firm represents public and private clients in a wide range of disputes and transactions worldwide...
in Boston from 1979 to 1984 before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney for two years. Following this, Sosman was chief of the Civil Division at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA. The first court session was held in Boston in 1789. The second term was held in Salem in 1790 and until 1813 court session locations...
in Boston, serving from 1986 to 1989. In 1989, Sosman left government service to become a found Kern, Sosman, Hagerty, Roach & Carpenter, P.C. with three other Assistant U.S. Attorneys. This was the first all-woman law firm in Massachusetts.
Sosman became an associate justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court
Massachusetts Superior Court
The Massachusetts Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $25,000, and in matters where equitable relief is sought. It also has original jurisdiction in actions involving labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought, and has exclusive authority to convene medical...
in 1993, and was recruited for the bench by Justice Robert J. Cordy of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Governor Paul Cellucci nominated Sosman to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on September 6, 2000 at the age of 49.
Sosman was one of three justices to dissent in the Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health, 798 N.E.2d 941 , was a landmark state appellate court case dealing with same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. The November 18, 2003, decision was the first by a U.S...
case, which legalized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts
Same-sex marriage in Massachusetts
Same-sex marriage in the U.S. state of Massachusetts began on May 17, 2004, as a result of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruling in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health that it was unconstitutional under the Massachusetts constitution to allow only heterosexual couples to marry...
.
In April 2005, Sosman was diagnosed with breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. She died of respiratory failure
Respiratory failure
The term respiratory failure, in medicine, is used to describe inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that arterial oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels cannot be maintained within their normal ranges. A drop in blood oxygenation is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial...
nearly two years later. Governor Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
appointed Margot Botsford
Margot Botsford
Margot Botsford is an American lawyer and jurist from Massachusetts. She was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2007 to serve as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court....
as Sosman's successor on July 26, 2007.