The American Bar Association will honor Margaret Marshall, former chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, with its Thurgood Marshall Award at its annual meeting in Boston. The award recognizes members of the legal profession for long-term contributions to advancing civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights in the United States. The award will be given Aug. 9. Marshall was the first woman to serve as chief justice of the state’s highest court. She was appointed by Governor Paul Cellucci in 1999 and retired in 2010. While serving on the bench, she wrote the landmark decision that made Massachusetts the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. After retiring from the court, Marshall joined a Boston law firm as senior counsel, where she focuses on community outreach, pro bono and diversity programs.
Boston