Jan 24, 2025 Story by: Editor
On New Year’s Day, Allison S. Cartwright was sworn in as the clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) for Suffolk County, surrounded by individuals who have also made significant contributions to history.
The ceremony, held at the John Adams Courthouse in downtown Boston, was officiated by SJC Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd, the first Black woman to hold that role. Also present was retired Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland, the first Black Chief Justice of Massachusetts.
Cartwright’s election to the position marked a historic milestone. She became the second woman and the first Black individual to serve as clerk since the role’s establishment in 1693. Reflecting on the achievement, Cartwright described it as “mind-blowing.”
“I’m very excited to be here, to be in this role, to have the opportunity to be of service,” she said in an interview. “I am just fortunate to be a part of that history now.”
Cartwright, 62, is a seasoned attorney and former public defender. She succeeded Maura Sweeney Doyle, who had been in the role since her election in 1998 and retired in December 2024.
“For nearly three decades, we have been fortunate to have Maura Doyle serving in this position, and she has done so with professionalism, passion, and dedication,” Chief Justice Budd said in a statement. “Today, we are equally fortunate to have Allison Cartwright stepping into this role. As an experienced lawyer and manager, she is well prepared to lead the county clerk’s office, and my colleagues and I look forward to working with her.”
Despite her groundbreaking role, Cartwright did not set out to make history or even initially plan for a legal career. Growing up in Okemos, Michigan, she aspired to become a physician. However, during college, she discovered her dislike for science and shifted her focus to English and psychology, eventually pursuing a law degree at Boston College.
Her interest in criminal law emerged during an internship with Joyce London Alexander, the first Black woman to serve as a district court magistrate judge. During this experience, Cartwright said, “I felt something whenever we had criminal cases and criminal defendants before the court.” The need for appointed attorneys for defendants who couldn’t afford legal representation resonated with her.
Participating in Boston College’s clinical program, BC Defenders, cemented her path. “I was hooked,” she recalled.
Cartwright began her career as a trial attorney at the Roxbury office of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the state’s public defender agency. She later advanced to managing director, overseeing offices in Suffolk and Norfolk Counties.
“I was able to make an impact on an individual level, and oftentimes that has a domino effect with families and communities,” she explained.
Cartwright’s diverse career also includes roles as assistant corporation counsel for Boston, co-founding the civil and criminal litigation firm Cartwright & Coleman, establishing Cartwright Law Office, and mentoring attorneys with Suffolk Lawyers for Justice.
Looking back, she sees how her path was shaped. “I was that kid who was always butting in and taking up for someone else. … So I guess law was in the cards for me without me knowing it,” she said. “But I just always had a strong sense of justice.”
Her upbringing as an “Army brat” also taught her to adapt to various situations.
Cartwright decided to pursue the clerkship after learning of Doyle’s retirement. Consulting with peers affirmed her belief that this position aligned with her goal of “protecting constitutional rights.”
She emphasized the importance of maintaining judicial independence: “It should not matter which party, whether it’s the party I belong to or not. It should not matter which party is in power as to what the courts are going to do to protect our rights. Courts simply must remain independent, fair, impartial, and accessible to everyone.”
In her role, Cartwright manages single-justice caseloads, including requests for reviews and emergency appeals, as well as issues related to bar admission and legal practice in the state.
Her campaign for the position required extensive grassroots efforts and personal sacrifices. “You roll up your sleeves and you just get to it and do the job. … It was hard, but it was something I believed in with my whole heart,” she said.
In September 2024, Cartwright defeated Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy in the Democratic primary and won the general election in November.
Reflecting on her journey, Cartwright acknowledged how her plans often differed from the outcome. Despite not initially envisioning a legal career, she now holds a vital administrative role in Massachusetts’ judicial system.With six years ahead in this position, she’s focused on the present. “I will see where it takes me,” she said. Source: The Bay State Banner
