By Staff

Jan. 27, 2016:  On Thursday, January 21, Bronxville resident Janet DiFiore was confirmed by the New York State Senate as chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals is the highest court in the State of New York.

He husband, Dennis Glazer, and three children, Michael Glazer, Joseph Glazer, and Alexandra Murphy, joined her as he watched the confirmation process from the Senate chamber gallery. 

The Republican-led Senate approved DiFiore, a Democrat, with a near-unanimous voice vote. Senator Tony Avella, D-Queens, abstained, saying he is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit that may ultimately end up before the Court of Appeals. DiFiore had been nominated seven weeks earlier by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Upon her confirmation, DiFiore, 60, resigned her position as Westchester County District Attorney, a position she has held since 2006. Before that, she served as a state and county judge. First Deputy District Attorney James McCarty is now the acting district attorney of Westchester County.

"After serving the people of Westchester County for twenty years, ten as an assistant district attorney and the last ten as district attorney, I accepted the nomination by Governor Cuomo for the position of chief judge of the Court of Appeals [of] the State of New York," she stated, as quoted in a January 21 press release from the Westchester County District Attorney's office. "Now, having been officially confirmed by the New York State Senate, I want to again thank the governor and the Commission on Judicial Nomination for their faith in my ability and for recognizing my experience, qualifications, and fitness to become chief judge. I also want to recognize all the members of the Westchester County District Attorney's office, prosecutors, investigators and support staff, who I have worked with for two decades, for their continued dedication and professionalism," she said, as quoted in the press release.

As chief judge, DiFiore will serve as the leader of the state's extensive court system, in addition to helping decide cases on the seven-member Court of Appeals.

DiFiore's term is technically for 14 years, but the state constitution mandates that Court of Appeals judges retire at the end of the year they turn 70, requiring her to step down in 2025. She replaces Jonathan Lippman, who turned 70 last year.

DiFiore's confirmation was lauded by lawmakers, state officials, and various groups representing attorneys. "Her keen intellect, unassailable credibility, and diverse experience will serve the court well and ensure a stronger and fairer state for all," said Governor Cuomo in a statement posted on www.governor.ny.gov.

Pictured here:  Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, newly confirmed chief judge of the Court of Appeals of New York State, speaking at Concordia College while she was the Westchester County DA.

Photo courtesy Concordia College