December 12, 2014: New York State Bar President Sends Governor Cuomo Ratings Of Candidates For Court Of Appeals Vacancy

December 12, 2014: New York State Bar President Sends Governor Cuomo Ratings Of Candidates For Court Of Appeals Vacancy

12.12.2014

By Communications Department

New York State Bar Association Glenn Lau-Kee  has sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo with the association’s ratings for the seven candidates under consideration for associate judge of the New York State Court of Appeals.

The Governor must designate his choice between January 1 and January 15, 2015. The nominee then must be confirmed by the state Senate.

To assist with the appointment process, the State Bar reviews the qualifications of candidates nominated by the state Commission on Judicial Nomination. Its ratings are as follows:

Candidate                    Rating

Kathy H. Chin, Esq.      “Well Qualified”
Hon. Eugene H. Fahey  “Well Qualified”
Hector Gonzalez, Esq.  “Well Qualified”
Hon. Erin M. Peradotto   “Well Qualified”
Mary Kay Vyskocil, Esq. “Qualified”
Rowan D. Wilson, Esq.   “Well Qualified”
Stephen P. Younger, Esq. “Well Qualified”

The State Bar considered professional ability, experience, character, temperament and other qualities in arriving at a determination for each candidate. Each candidate’s qualifications and background were thoroughly examined. Personal interviews were conducted and each candidate was rated as “Well Qualified,” “Qualified,” or “Not Qualified.”

According to State Bar guidelines, “Qualified” applies to candidates who have demonstrated the necessary qualifications for the office while “Well Qualified” is reserved for those who possess pre-eminent qualifications.

The  December 12, 2014  letter from Lau-Kee (Kee & Lau-Kee) can be viewed at www.nysba.org/Dec2014COARatings.

The State Bar Association has evaluated candidates for the Court of Appeals since 1967. The Commission on Judicial Nomination was created in 1978 to evaluate and recommend candidates for appointment to the high court.

The 75,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.

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Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen 
Director, Media Services and Public Affairs
[email protected]
518-487-5530