‘Near Perfect’ Response to Chief Judge’s Vaccine Requirement
10.18.2021
Good afternoon Members,
New York’s court system has had a near-perfect response from judges to the vaccine requirement, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced in her biweekly update today.
While court unions have filed lawsuits challenging the requirement, this past Friday afternoon, the Albany County Supreme Court, where all of these matters are being heard together, issued a decision denying the unions’ request for a preliminary injunction.
“We are pleased that Friday’s decision will enable us to follow through on implementing the vaccine requirement, which is a critically important health and safety measure necessary to prevent the spread of the virus in our court facilities and assure the public that our courthouses are safe and healthy places to appear and conduct business,” said DiFiore.
She acknowledged that although Friday’s decision may not end all the related litigation, “We welcome every opportunity to demonstrate that the vaccine requirement is fully within our legal powers as a responsible, appropriate and necessary response to the serious threat that COVID-19 poses to the health and safety of our workforce and the public we serve.”
The court will provide updated guidance this week to employees who have not yet submitted proof of vaccination or applied for a medical or religious exemption. She urged everyone to take the necessary steps to comply with the vaccine requirements.
New Judges Announced
Judge Anne-Marie Jolly is the new administrative judge of the New York City Family Court, effective Nov. 1.
“Judge Jolly is a highly respected judge and proven leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new position overseeing the day-to-day operations of the New York City Family Court in all five boroughs,” said DiFiore. “She is ideally suited to lead the New York City Family Court into the future, and we are delighted to welcome her to our leadership team.”
DiFiore also thanked Judge Jeannette Ruiz for her service in the role since 2015 and congratulated her on her retirement.
Hon. Anne E. Minihan has been named administrative judge for the Ninth Judicial District. In her new role, Judge Minihan will oversee the daily operations of the trial courts within the Ninth Judicial District, which encompasses Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.
“Judge Minihan is a widely respected member of the bench whose breadth of experience, knowledge of court operations and sound judgment make her eminently qualified for this key administrative position. I look forward to working with her in her new capacity as we move the trial courts in the Ninth Judicial District forward, striving to improve the delivery and quality of justice, in these highly challenging times,” said Chief Administrative Judge Marks.
Betty Weinberg Ellerin Children’s Center
Next Tuesday, Oct. 26, the courts will dedicate the “Betty Weinberg Ellerin Children’s Center” at 111 Centre St. in lower Manhattan. It is named after Judge Ellerin, the first woman law clerk in the New York State Courts, and first female presiding justice of the Appellate Division, First Department.
“As our courts steadily return to in-person operations, we are pleased and excited that parents and caregivers appearing in the busy New York City Family, Criminal and Housing courts will soon have a safe and nurturing place where they can leave their children, a place where children from low-income and underserved backgrounds will receive positive interventions and services, including educational resources and vital healthcare and nutritional support services,” said DiFiore.
Upcoming CLE Webinars
Tuesday, October 19 – Construction Site Accidents: Labor Law 240(1) Claims And Risk Transfers
Tuesday, October 19 – Mechanic’s Liens: Filing, Bonding And Enforcement
Wednesday, October 20 – Purchase And Sale Agreements: Drafting Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment Provisions
Latest NYSBA.ORG News
We are adding interesting new content each day to our website.
The New York State Commission on Judicial Nomination released the names of seven nominees who in their judgment are well qualified to fill the vacancy on the Court of Appeals created by upcoming retirement of Judge Eugene Fahey.
We also are taking a deep dive into the ever-changing workplace scenarios for lawyers and law firms. Should we go hybrid? If so, how will that work in practice? Should we continue to be mostly remote? How will we replicate the collaboration and cooperation of the 2019 workplace under new workplace guidelines?
