Herbert P. Wilkins, 95

Herbert P. Wilkins of Acton, retired chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and former president of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, died on May 27, 2025. He is survived by his wife of nearly 73 years, Angela M. Wilkins; his sons, Douglas H. Wilkins of Wellesley and his wife Laura; Stephen M. Wilkins of Gloucester and his wife Sarah; Christopher P. Wilkins of Ipswich and his partner Rachel Perry; and his daughter, Kate T. Wilkins of Newburyport and her husband Thomas Mannix. He had nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was a 1951 graduate of Harvard College, a 1954 magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, and an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy.

In 1972, at the age of 42, Wilkins was appointed associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Gov. Francis W. Sargent and was named chief justice in 1996 by Gov. William F. Weld. Following his retirement, Wilkins served for 15 years as a visiting professor at Boston College Law School. When chair of the court’s Rules Committee and later as Chief Justice, he was a major force in the court’s creation of the Board of Bar Overseers and the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Wilkins served his hometown of Acton in various capacities, including on the Planning Board (1957-1960), the Board of Selectmen (as then known) (1960-1966), as its town counsel (1968-1972), and most recently as a member of the Town Government Study Committee. As chairman of the Planning Board, he presented numerous studies to Town Meeting, implementing major portions of the comprehensive master plan, including flood plain zoning and on-street parking requirements. As Planning Board chair, Wilkins was a strong advocate for the creation of the Minute Man National Historical Park.

Wilkins grew up in Winchester and spent most of his summers in the Annisquam section of Gloucester. His parents were Louisa A. Wilkins and Raymond S. Wilkins. His father also served as a justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (1944 to 1970), including as chief justice (1956 to 1970).

Following his graduation from law school, Wilkins was an associate and then partner in the Boston law firm that became Palmer and Dodge. His practice was varied, with an emphasis on litigation, including numerous cases before the Supreme Judicial Court. He was an elected member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He served many years as a member of the Council of the American Law Institute, where he served as an advisor to the Restatements of Law Projects, including the Restatements of Trust, Property, Agency and Liability Insurance.

Wilkins served Harvard in various capacities. He was elected a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers in 1977 and served as president of the board from 1981 to 1983. As chairman of the Overseers’ Committee to visit the law school, he led a study of the problems the law school had in approving lateral hires of professors from other law schools. He interviewed two-thirds of the faculty and concluded that the law school permitted a small number of faculty with particular views concerning the law to block meritorious transfers. As president of the board’s institutional policy, he conducted a study of Harvard’s relationship with its neighbors, public and private. He interviewed each city councilor, the city manager and numerous leaders of civic organizations. He concluded that Harvard should be more attentive to the effects of its actions on its neighbors and more communicative with its neighbors. He was a longstanding member of Harvard’s 1951 class committee and chaired its 50th reunion committee. He served as chairman of the overseers’ committees to visit the law school and the Graduate School of Design.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Gifts in lieu of flowers should be sent to the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, 40 Court St., #700, Boston, MA 02108 or mlri.org.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or offer a condolence on his tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.