Statement on the Passing of SJC Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants

With great sadness, the entire De Novo family mourns the passing of Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants.

Justice Gants was a living example of what it means to serve others and a cause greater than one's self. A transformative figure in the Massachusetts legal community, Justice Gants spent his career working to create a more equitable legal system. He was a compassionate and gracious leader, a fierce advocate for racial equality, and a voice for access to justice for all people.

Justice Gants believed in a society that respects the dignity and the worth of every human being, and he never stopped working towards that goal. Together, we will honor his legacy by recommitting to fight for equal justice with the same empathy, humility, and genuine care for others that he brought to this work.