Martha Coakley is an American attorney and politician who served as the Attorney General of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015. She was the first woman to hold this position in the state. Coakley gained national attention for her role in high-profile cases, including consumer protection and public health issues. In 2010, Coakley ran for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Ted Kennedy but was defeated by Scott Brown. She later ran for governor of Massachusetts in 2014 but lost in the Democratic primary. Throughout her career, Coakley has been known for her advocacy on issues such as women's rights and healthcare.