Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall Elected to American Philosophical Society

Choate today announced that Choate Senior Counsel, Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, has been elected a member of the American Philosophical Society, the oldest learned society in the United States. Chief Justice Marshall joins 31 newly elected members announced May 1, including former President Barack Obama.

“It is a rare honor to be elected a member of this distinguished society,” said Marshall. “I am both humbled and privileged to have been elected, and extend my congratulations to each of the other members elected this year.”

Regarded as a preeminent lawyer and widely respected jurist, Chief Justice Marshall served for fourteen years on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court before she re-joined Choate as Senior Counsel where she is a member of Choate’s Complex Trial and Appellate litigation team. During her tenure on the bench she authored many ground breaking decisions, including the 2003 landmark decision Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, which declared that the Massachusetts Constitution prohibits the state from denying same-sex couples access to civil marriage. The ruling made Massachusetts the first state to legalize gay marriage. She is widely recognized as a champion for an independent judiciary and the rule of law. A long-time advocate of access to justice for all, she implemented innovative procedures for self-represented litigants and strengthened pro bono services by the bar.

The oldest scholarly organization in the United States, with an international reputation, the American Philosophical Society promotes knowledge in the sciences and humanities through scholarly research, professional meetings, publications and community outreach.

To see the full list of the 2017 elected members, please click here.