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Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday swore in Judge Rowan Wilson as the state’s next chief judge of the powerful state Court of Appeals.
Wilson was previously an associate judge on the state Court of Appeals and has served on it since 2017. Before he was nominated by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, he was a partner at the New York City firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore. He is also the first person of color to hold the position.
Before the swearing-in ceremony, Hochul said his term will mark a new era for the court.
“Having an individual who meets all my high standards, and I assure you they’re very high, sitting here today, but also the path that he has taken throughout life, overcoming adversity in his own life, will make him be that person who has that sympathetic ear. And I would say it should not have taken over 176 years to get to a point where we have a person of color sitting in this seat,” Hochul said. “That is not why he was selected. He has demonstrated through his years already on this Court the intellect, the understanding, the ability to write in such a powerful way and to really make decisions that matter.
Wilson is the first person of color in the state’s history to hold the position. He replaces former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, who suddenly resigned last year with three years still left of her term. DiFiore was also under an ethics probe by the state Commission of Judicial Conduct before her sudden departure, but the court has denied she resigned due to the investigation.
After her resignation, Hochul originally chose Hector LaSalle, a member of the state Court of Appeals, but he failed to win the support of state Senate Democrats, who reportedly believed he was too conservative. Governors are required to pick from a list of recommendations made by the state’s Judicial Nomination Commission. State Senate Democrats must vote to approve the governor’s nomination. Wilson was approved by the state Senate in April.
Hochul said on of the judicial system’s priorities must be to free up courtrooms to take more cases, while expediting cases that have been “delayed justice for far too long.”
“Our family court system needs attention. We need to take care of people when they’re suffering the most,” the Democrat said in Albany. “And that’s the power that you also have, Judge Rowan. And I’m counting on that to change. And that’s how we make people feel they have value again, take care of them when they’re at their greatest need.”
Following the ceremony, Wilson – whose jokes frequently drew laughs from the attendees – said the provision of equal justice depends just as much on the proper operation of the court system and law.
“I’m still not an important person and if I start thinking of myself as an important person, I will not do my job well … so for any of you here in this magnificent courtroom or watching the live stream, who attended to see an important person, I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Wilson said. “The executive branch and to the members of our state Legislature: I can assure you the checks and balances means independence, not adversaries, in my team and I look forward to working with you collaboratively to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”
Wilson added work to improve the judicial system will include disagreements, criticism and identification of problems.
“The most important thing we need is your help. We all need to pull in the same direction – and I think we all know what that direction is.”
