Women’s Bar Association

OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

April 22, 2021

PRESIDENT Joy A. Thompson Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo

Post Office Box 936 Governor of the State of New York Planetarium Station New York, NY 10024-0546 State Capitol

(212) 362-4445 Albany, New York 12224 (212) 721-1620 (FAX) [email protected] www.wbasny.org Dear Governor Cuomo: PRESIDENT-ELECT Dawn Reid-Green The Judiciary Committee of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York VICE PRESIDENTS Dawn A. Lott (“WBASNY”) has considered the qualifications of the seven individuals whose names Deborah G. Rosenthal Marea L. Wachsman were submitted by the New York State Commission on Judicial Nominations to fill the

TREASURER Associate Justice seat on the New York State Court of Appeals being vacated by the Hon. Simone M. Freeman Leslie E. Stein. In evaluating the nominees, the Committee considered the applications

CORRESPONDING submitted by the nominees and conducted personal interviews with each. The Committee SECRETARY assessed each nominee’s judicial temperament, legal ability and experience, legal writing, Kathleen S. Campbell character and fitness, work ethic, impartiality, and sensitivity to issues of gender bias, RECORDING SECRETARY Madison Porzio women, children, and other minorities. Additionally, the Committee evaluated each

IMMEDIATE candidate’s history regarding issues central to WBASNY’s mission. Candidates found to PAST PRESIDENT have demonstrated sensitivity to such issues are eligible for a discretionary rating of Deirdre L. Hay “Commended.” CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Adirondack Brittnay M. McMahon, Esq. Based on its evaluations, WBASNY has rated the nominees as follows: Bronx Miguelina Camilo Brooklyn Natoya L. McGhie • Hon. Ellen Nachtigall Biben - Approved and Commended Capital District Madalyn R. DeThomasis • Kathy Hirata Chin, Esq. - Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended Central New York • Caitlin J. Halligan, Esq. - Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended Shannon T. O’Connor Del-Chen-O • Hon. Valerie Brathwaite Nelson - Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended Susan Lettis Finger Lakes • Hon. Erin M. Peradotto - Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended Danielle E. Bernard Mid-Hudson • District Attorney Madeline Singas - Approved Melissa Manna-Williams Mid-York • Hon. Shirley Troutman - Approved as Highly Qualified and Commended Tina L. Hartwell Nassau Andrea M. Brodie We hope you will find this information useful in making the appointment of the next New York Amanda B. Norejko Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. Please contact me if you would like any further Orange-Sullivan information. Thank you for your consideration. Kelly A. Pressler Queens Soma S. Syed Rochester Sincerely, Randi Proukou Rockland Julia Masch Staten Island Rosa Tragni Suffolk Brette A. Haefeli Joy A. Thompson Thousand Islands Ashley Lyon President, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) Westchester Hon. Lisa M. Smith Western New York Bethany A. Solek

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Linda A. Chiaverini