Elspeth B. Cypher(born February 26, 1959) is a former justice of theSupreme Judicial Court of Massachusettswho served from 2017 to 2024. She is also a former justice of theMassachusetts Appeals Court,where she served from 2000 to 2017.
Elspeth B. Cypher | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Justice of theMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court | |
| In office March 31, 2017 – January 12, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Charlie Baker |
| Preceded by | Margot Botsford |
| Succeeded by | Bessie Dewar |
| Associate Justice of theMassachusetts Appeals Court | |
| In office December 27, 2000 – March 31, 2017 | |
| Appointed by | Paul Cellucci |
| Succeeded by | Dalila Argaez Wendlandt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 26, 1959 Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sharon Levesque |
| Education | Emerson College(BA) Suffolk University(JD) |
Biography
editCypher was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on February 26, 1959.[1]She earned herBachelor of ArtsfromEmerson Collegein 1980 and herJuris DoctorfromSuffolk University Law Schoolin 1986. She began her legal career as an associate with the law firm Grayer, Brown and Dilday. She left the firm in 1988 to become an assistant district attorney in Bristol County. In 1993, she became the chief of the appellate division of this office and served in this capacity until her appointment to the appeals court.[1]
Cypher and her wife, Sharon Levesque, live inAssonet, Massachusetts,and have one son.[2]
Judicial career
editMassachusetts Appeals Court
editCypher was an associate justice on theMassachusetts Appeals Court.She was appointed to by GovernorPaul Cellucciand took the bench on December 27, 2000.[1]She served in that capacity until her elevation to theMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Courton March 31, 2017.[3]
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
editShe was appointed to the Supreme Judicial Court in February 2017 by GovernorCharlie Bakerto succeed retiring JusticeMargot Botsford.She was confirmed by the Governor's Council on March 8, 2017.[4][5]She was sworn into office on March 31, 2017.[3]She was ceremonially sworn in on May 18, 2017.[6]She retired from active service on January 12, 2024.[7]
Academic career
editCypher was an adjunct professor at Southern New England School of Law (now the University of Massachusetts School of Law - Dartmouth), where she taught courses on legal writing; criminal procedure; criminal law; and women, law, and the legal system.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcd"Associate Justice Elspeth B. Cypher".RetrievedApril 5,2018.
- ^"Newly Confirmed SJC Justice Cypher '80 to Speak at Emerson".Emerson News & Events.Emerson College.March 15, 2017.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
- ^ab"Supreme Judicial Court Justices".
- ^Lannan, Katie (March 8, 2017)."Former Bristol County prosecutor confirmed to state supreme court".The Patriot Ledger.RetrievedApril 5,2018.
- ^Towne, Shaun (February 8, 2017)."Gov. Baker nominates appeals judge to state's highest court".wpri.RetrievedApril 5,2018.
- ^"At Ceremonial Swearing In, Supreme Judicial Court Justice Cypher Says," I am grateful to the women before me who broke down those barriers "".May 19, 2017.
- ^Lisinski, Chris (June 12, 2023)."Mass. SJC Justice Cypher's surprise retirement gives Healey first high court pick".wbur.org.RetrievedJanuary 13,2024.