Margaret Walsh

Margaret Walsh is a retired New York State Supreme Court Justice whose distinguished legal career spans decades of service, leadership, and advocacy. With more than eighteen years on the bench—fourteen in Family Court and four in Supreme Court handling complex matrimonial matters—she built a reputation for fairness, clarity, and deep compassion for families in crisis. Before her judicial appointment, Margaret served as a public defender and later founded her own law firm, where she handled more than 300 appeals, including arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of Florida. Her flexibility and mastery across criminal, civil, dependency, and appellate matters allowed her to transition seamlessly between judicial divisions, eventually contributing to her role as Senior Co-Chair of the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics.

Throughout her judicial career, Margaret became increasingly aware of the emotional and financial harm that contentious court battles can inflict on families—particularly children. Even from the bench, she worked to reduce conflict and encourage resolution outside the courtroom, knowing that families reached healthier, longer-lasting outcomes when empowered to make their own agreements. This philosophy guides her work today as a New York–licensed attorney, mediator, and co-parent coach based in Sarasota, Florida. She does not represent clients in court; instead, she helps families achieve fair, child-centered resolutions that protect dignity, reduce stress, and promote long-term cooperation.

Margaret’s leadership extends far beyond her courtroom. She served as President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and later, in 2015–2016, as President of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ)—an experience she describes as the most extraordinary of her professional life. In that role, she welcomed more than 1,000 women judges from around the world to the United States for the International Association of Women Judges’ Bi-Annual Conference, standing alongside iconic jurists such as Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. Her career has also been shaped by her commitment to mentorship and her belief in championing the next generation of women leaders—those who, in her words, “don’t ask whether, but how.”

Today, Margaret remains deeply committed to supporting families and strengthening the profession. She speaks openly about the realities facing women in law, the myth of perfect balance, and the importance of presence over perfection. Above all, she encourages young professionals to stay connected, seek guidance, and trust in their own capabilities. Whether from the bench, through her leadership roles, or now through mediation, Margaret Walsh has dedicated her life to ensuring fairness, empowering women, and helping families move forward with clarity and confidence.

• NAWJ