FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 11, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS
Governor David A. Paterson today announced several appointments and nominations for judicial vacancies.
“I am proud to appoint and nominate such a talented group of individuals to serve on our courts.” said Governor Paterson. “Their experience and dedication will be a tremendous addition to New York’s highly accomplished and respected bench.”
The Governor will appoint the Honorable Leland DeGrasse and the Honorable Dianne Renwick to fill two vacancies in the Appellate Division, First Department, which is comprised of New York County and Bronx County. These appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation.
In addition, the Governor is nominating the Honorable Fernando Camacho, Donald Cerio, James Kindler and O. Peter Sherwood to fill four vacancies on the Court of Claims. He also is re-nominating the Honorable Gina Lopez Summa and the Honorable Melvin Schweitzer – both of whom currently serve on the Court of Claims – to continue to serve in the office for additional nine-year terms. Court of Claims nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.
The Governor also made several nominations to fill interim vacancies in other judicial offices:
- The Honorable Shirley Kornreich to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court in New York County
- The Honorable Ellen Spodek and Paul Wooten to fill two vacancies on the Supreme Court in Kings County
- The Honorable Norman St. George to fill a vacancy on the Nassau County Court
- Jhilmil “Jill” Ghaleb to fill a vacancy on the Otsego County Court
- Susan Capeci to fill a vacancy on the Westchester County Court
- The Honorable Stephen Hunter to fill a vacancy on the Orange County Surrogate’s Court
- Lisa Bloch Rodwin to fill a vacancy on the Family Court in Erie County
Under the New York State Constitution, the Governor may nominate individuals to fill vacancies on Supreme Court, County Court, Surrogate’s Court and Family Court outside of New York City until the vacancies can be filled at the next general election. The Governor’s nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.