December 16, 2016, New York, NY

The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) Releases Ratings for the Vacancy on the New York Court of Appeals

Jacqueline P. Flug, President of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”), today released WBASNY’s ratings of the seven nominees by the New York State Commission on Judicial Nominations to fill the Associate Justice seat on the New York State Court of Appeals being vacated by the Hon. Eugene F. Pigott Jr., who is retiring on Dec. 31, 2016.

WBASNY’s Judiciary Committee is composed of Co-Chairs Eileen E. Buholtz, Esq., a past President of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys; Meryl Neuren, Esq., a past President of the Rockland Women’s Bar Association, Deborah Weisman-Estis, Esq., a past President of WBASNY, and representatives from WBASNY’s nineteen chapters across the State. The Committee extensively reviewed the qualifications of and interviewed each of the nominees. The nominees can be rated either “Approved,” “Approved as Highly Qualified,” or “Not Approved,” according to the following definitions:

Approved. This rating is available for candidates who, in the Committee’s opinion, possess the qualifications for the office.

Approved as highly qualified. This rating is available for candidates who, in the Committee’s opinion, possess exceptional qualifications for the office.

Not Approved. This rating shall be applied to any Candidate who, in the Committee’s opinion, does not possess the qualifications for the office.

The discretionary rating of Commended is available for those rated Approved or Approved as Highly Qualified:

Commended. This additional rating is discretionary and is available to any candidate found approved or approved as highly qualified who, in the Committee’s opinion, has demonstrated an outstanding sensitivity to issues of gender bias, women, children, and minorities. The “Commended” rating is not an endorsement of any candidate. The “Commended” rating may be given to more than one candidate for any particular judicial office.

The ratings are as follows:

Eric Corngold, Esq., Friedman Kaplan Seiler & Adelman LLP – Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended
Hon. Judith J. Gische, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Department – Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended
Caitlin J. Halligan, Esq., Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP – Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended
Hon. Erin M. Peradotto, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Fourth Department – Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended
Benjamin E. Rosenberg, Esq., General Counsel, New York County District Attorney’s Office – Approved
Robert A. Spolzino, Esq., Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP – Approved
Rowan D. Wilson, Esq., Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP – Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended