Boston Bar Association Will Honor Justice Ralph Gants at Law Day Dinner

The Honorable Ralph D. Gants, an Associate Justice of Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court and Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, will receive a Citation of Judicial Excellence when the Boston Bar Association (BBA) convenes its Annual Law Day Dinner on the evening of May 17 at the Seaport World Trade Center.

“In his leadership role on the Access to Justice Commission, Justice Gants has demonstrated extraordinary energy and creativity in pursuing fresh ideas and new initiatives to enhance meaningful access to justice for all,” said BBA President Lisa C. Goodheart in announcing the award on behalf of the BBA. “His zeal for the essential work of promoting justice is truly remarkable, and he has distinguished himself as a driving force for the development of better and broader ways to deliver justice and protect fundamental rights.”

Known for going out into the community to teach people about the Massachusetts courts and the practical role that they play in our lives, Justice Gants cares deeply about ensuring that the justice system works for everyone.  He has actively worked to leverage limited resources wisely and to inspire the commitment of new resources to promote that goal.

Since going onto the bench as a Superior Court Judge in 1997, Justice Gants has earned a reputation for scrupulous analytic rigor, intellectual honesty and fairness. Prior to his elevation to the SJC, he was a strong leader of the Business Litigation Session, and throughout his judicial career, he has consistently shown a laser like ability to focus on the core issues in even the most complex of cases.  He neither shies away from nor glosses over the most difficult issues, but rather grapples with them openly.

Lawyers who have observed Justice Gants since he was elevated to the Supreme Judicial Court in 2009 admire his probing questions and his written opinions, which are notable for their clarity, precision and vigorous writing style.