(New York, NY, Wednesday, October 27, 2021) – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) thanks Governor Kathy Hochul for reappointing Hon. Ellen Gesmer and Hon. David Friedman to the Appellate Division, First Department; and Hon. Sheri S. Roman and Hon. Joseph J. Maltese to the Appellate Division, Second Department.

The Justices were among forty-six (46) Judges over age seventy (70) whose applications for certification or re-certification were denied in preparation for an expected budget deficit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Fortunately, Hon. Gesmer, Hon. Friedman, Hon. Roman, and Hon. Maltese were re-certified earlier this year and permitted to resume serving as Supreme Court, but the Justices were not reappointed to their respective Appellate Divisions.

The First and Second Departments of the Appellate Division are two of the busiest courts in the United States.  WBASNY believes that the full complement of judges should be appointed to these courts to ensure fairness and it especially supports the appointment of experienced appellate judges to the bench.  The redesignation of these judges to the Apellate Division will help maintain public access to justice while reinforcing confidence in our justice system.

In commenting on the redesignation of Hon. Roman, Hon. Gesmer, Hon. Friedman and Hon. Maltese, WBASNY President, Dawn Reid-Green, stated that “she is delighted that Governor Hochul took this action and that she knows that they will each continue to serve on the appellate bench with honor and distinction”.

WBASNY appreciates and recognizes Hon. Gesmer, Hon. Friedman, Hon. Roman, and Hon. Maltese for their dedication and service to the Court and the public it serves.

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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the professional membership organization of choice for more than 3,500 attorneys throughout New York State, and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country.  For over four decades, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, with professional networking, continuing legal education programming, leadership training, and advocacy for the rights of women, children, and families.  Through involvement with WBASNY’s 20 regional chapters and its 40-plus substantive law committees, WBASNY’s members collaborate with one another on a variety of issues and perform public and community service, in furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and women attorneys in particular. WBASNY holds United Nations NGO status with the U.N.’s Department of Public Information, and Special Consultative status in association with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WBASNY is also a founding member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.