Albany, NY—Yesterday, the New York State Senate voted to accept the nomination of the Honorable Rowan Wilson as New York’s next Chief Justice. Wilson was nominated by Governor Hochul last Monday, weeks after the Democrat-led State Senate rejected her first nominee, Hector LaSalle. Governor Hochul also nominated former state Solicitor General Caitlin Halligan to fill Wilson’s vacancy as Associate Judge, following new legislation that gives her that power.
Theodore Moore, Vice President of Policy & Programs, New York Immigration Coalition:
“We congratulate the eminently qualified Hon. Rowan Wilson on his nomination and appointment as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of New York. Judge Wilson has proven himself to be principled and committed to equal justice in the law, and we have confidence that he will fairly preside over cases that concern immigrant New Yorkers. While we commend Wilson’s appointment as Chief Judge, Caitlin Halligan’s nomination for Associate Judge is concerning. Halligan’s lack of experience as a jurist and controversial record as a corporate attorney call to question her ability to be a part of upcoming complicating cases, like the potential forthcoming redistricting case and the case involving New York City’s municipal voting law. We wish to see further reforms that would change the process of the Governor nominating judges for vacant positions, so that candidates can be properly vetted.”