On Monday, April 10th, New York Governor Kathy Hochul nominated Rowan D. Wilson for the position of chief judge in the highest court in the state, the Court of Appeals. Wilson is Hochul’s second nomination for the position after her initial pick, Judge Hector LaSalle, was rejected by the governor’s progressive Democratic colleagues. If confirmed for the position, Wilson will be the first black judge to serve in the position.
“The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals not only leads the State’s highest court but is also responsible for managing the diverse and complex courts across the state. New Yorkers deserve a strong, effective, and thoughtful leader, and I am proud to nominate Judge Wilson as Chief Judge,” Governor Hochul said. “Judge Wilson’s sterling record of upholding justice and fairness makes him well-suited to lead the court at this critical time.
“Serving as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals would be the honor of my career, and I am humbled by this nomination from Governor Hochul. Protecting the rights of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I look forward to working with Governor Hochul and our partners throughout the judiciary system to manage our courts and deliver justice,” Wilson said.
Judge Wilson has served as an Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals since 2017. Wilson graduated from Harvard Law School before working in the private sector, working in corporate and occasionally pro bono cases. He has been labeled as a liberal judge who is also intelligent and will be a great candidate for the role. A regular participant in the Court of Appeals, Brian Ginsberg described Wilson’s style of questioning as probing. Wilson would bring the “force of intellectual leadership” to the role, according to Ginsberg.
Hochul had stepped on a number of toes with her nomination of LaSalle, however, her nomination this time has been welcomed by her fellow Democrats. State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris spoke in favor of the nomination, calling Wilson the right candidate to restore the Court of Appeals to its former glory before it was damaged by the previous regime. State Senator George Borello, who is a Republican, did not appear to agree with Governor Hochul’s nominee. “It appears that the governor is bowing to the most radical element of the far left in picking this activist judge for the chief position,” Borello said.
LittleAfrica News previously covered the entire saga involving Governor Hochul’s nominations for the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
