Robert Somma

Robert Somma is a former federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court. He resides in Newbury, Massachusetts.

Somma was appointed to a renewable 14-year term in 2004 by the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and took office on December 31, 2004. He holds a Juris Doctor degree and is a member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Boston Bar Association.

Somma was arrested near Manchester, New Hampshire on February 6, 2007 after he rear-ended a pickup truck. Officers determined that Somma was driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. Police reported that Somma fell back against the frame of his Mercedes-Benz as they removed him from the driver's seat. The incident gained national attention when it was revealed that Somma was dressed in drag, consisting of a "black women's cocktail dress, fishnet stockings and high heels". Additionally Somma, who is married to a woman, had "had a difficult time locating his license in his purse". He later admitted that he had been drinking hard liquor at a gay bar before the accident.

Somma pleaded guilty in open court to bargained charges. According to the Associated Press, he agreed to a 12 month suspension of his judicial license in addition to other punishments. Somma then resigned from the court, effective April 1, 2008.

Somma wrote a letter on April 2, 2008 to the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly stating that he was reconsidering his resignation. This change of heart happened after a letter writing campaign by fellow attorneys. WRKO talk show host Howie Carr responded by launching his own letter writing campaign, aimed at what he termed Somma's "stupendous lack of judgment in the one job where judgment matters most". Carr's goal was to halt any reinstatement of Somma, which would require judicial approval. In May 2008, the Court of Appeals announced that Somma would not resume service. He became Senior Counsel of the bankruptcy practice of the law firm Posternak Blankstein & Lund after leaving the court.