New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice MacDonald Resigns: Follow-Up

CONCORD, NH — The state’s Supreme Court Chief Justice has resigned.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s office announced she had received Gordon MacDonald’s resignation on Tuesday morning. In the letter, he said he was taking “responsibility and accountability for my conduct” after taking medical leave and a judicial conduct committee began investigating his actions related to the employment of Dianne Martin.

In October 2025, MacDonald was accused of helping Martin collect $50,000 in benefits for being laid off for two days before being hired into another judicial branch position. Officials refuse to comment on whether the Judicial Conduct Committee was investigating MacDonald, when he took an indefinite medical leave of absence on July 24.

Last week, the conduct committee came to a “stipulation and agreement” with MacDonald concerning “the employment and performance” of Martin.

MacDonald, the filing said, had been under investigation concerning Martin’s employment since November 2025. The committee found he “failed to act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary and failed to avoid the appearance of impropriety.” MacDonald, the committee said, also failed to perform his administrative duties competently and diligently, including Martin’s removal and reappointment while the state was under a hiring freeze. He was accused of bypassing established judicial branch rules and procedures by extending her a position without a competitive, merit-based process required of all judicial employees.

Instead of going through a public hearing process, MacDonald agreed to resign. He also agreed to reimburse the Administrative Office of the Courts for fees and expenses involved with the investigation.

David Sakowich, the communications manager and public information officer for the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, said Tuesday none of the four associate justices were on the committee. They have, however, assumed the chief justice’s responsibilities for administering the courts.

“The Judicial Branch remains focused on carrying out its responsibilities to the public and ensuring that the work of the courts continues without interruption,” Sakowich said

MacDonald was nominated by then-Gov. Chris Sununu twice. In 2019, his nomination failed by a 3-2 vote due to Democrats being concerned about his conservative leanings on abortion. He was confirmed in 2021 by a 4-1 vote, with then-Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington of Concord voting against him.

Previously, MacDonald was attorney general for four years. During his tenure, he established a civil rights unit and created the solicitor general position.

Before serving as attorney general, he was a Partner at Nixon Peabody LLP in Manchester, where he was a member of the commercial litigation practice group. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Cornell Law School, MacDonald earned recognition as one of the state’s top attorneys for commercial and health care litigation.

Do you have a news tip? Email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 227 communities and neighborhoods. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.