The Honorable Edward M. Ginsburg Award for Distinguished Public Service During Judicial Retirement is presented periodically to a retired Massachusetts judge who has made a meaningful volunteer contribution to the administration of justice after leaving the bench. Any retired member of the state or federal judiciary in Massachusetts is eligible to be nominated. The criteria for the award are:
Nominations must be submitted by a sitting or retired judge.
- Nominees must be retired Massachusetts state or federal court judges, including magistrate judges.
- Selection Committee Members are not eligible for nomination.
- You are not required to notify your nominee that they are being considered for this award.
- Individual judges may submit more than one nomination.
- Prior nominations may be resubmitted for consideration.
Do you know a retired judge who should be recognized? Please click here to access the nomination form.
2026 Award Selection Committee Members
- Hon. Jennifer L. Ginsburg (Chair)
- Hon. Julie J. Bernard (Ret.)
- Hon. John C. Cratsley (Ret.)
- Hon. Paul C. Dawley (Ret.)
- Hon. Wilbur P. Edwards, Jr. (Ret.)
- Hon. Gail Garinger (Ret.)
- Hon. David G. Sacks (Ret.)
- Hon. Mary Anne Sahagian (Ret.)
- Hon. Karyn F. Scheier (Ret.)
- Hon. Richard A. Simons
Award Recipients
2024 – Hon. John C. Cratsley (Ret.)
2025 – Hon. Paul A. Chernoff (Ret.) (Posthumous Award)
