ALBANY – Governor David A. Paterson has appointed local Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth A. Garry to the New York State Appellate Division.
Garry was one of five supreme court justices appointed Feb. 5. The governor’s office said the appointments “dramatized” Paterson’s “intentions to enhance diversity on the state benches.” Of the five appointed judges, two are black and two others are openly gay – including Garry.
“I am proud to appoint and nominate such a talented group of individuals to serve on our courts. Their experience and dedication will be a tremendous addition to New York’s highly accomplished and respected courts,” said Paterson.
“I am greatly honored to have been selected. The opportunity to serve with the distinguished jurists of this court is simply spectacular,” said Garry.
The appellate courts establish the precedent of law that lower level trial courts follow and its jurisdiction covers 28 counties in upstate New York, including the 10 counties that encompass the Sixth Judicial District, of which Chenango County is a part. Garry is one of two justices from the district currently appointed to the appellate division, the other being Supreme Court Justice Robert Rose from Binghamton.
Garry was the final appointment to the 12-member court, which typically hears appeals in panels of five judges per case.
The appeals court spans the entire scope of New York State law. It is most often the last court to hear an appeal, as the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, only hears about 100 cases annually, explained Garry.
Garry thanked many for her success, but singled out her mentor, retired Supreme Court Justice Irad S. Ingraham. Garry clerked for the judge after graduating from Albany Law School in 1990 when he still sat on the bench. Ingraham was also Garry’s campaign manager in her race for supreme court justice in 2006.
“It’s certainly an amazing accomplishment for her and for Chenango County,” said Ingraham.
The last Supreme Court Justice from Chenango County to serve on the appellate court was the Hon. James P. Hill, who sat on the bench for two terms from 1927 to 1948. He was also the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division from 1933 through 1948.
“This is a supreme court judge’s dream. The justices meet at the state’s Justice Building in Albany. It’s absolutely a wonderful career achievement,” said Ingraham.
“She does very excellent research work and that’s what it is going to require to a great degree,” he added.
Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd also congratulated Garry. “This is a great achievement for someone looking to climb up the judicial ladder,” he said, adding the appointment would benefit the county.
“I know that she has worked very hard for this and I’m happy for Judge Garry and know she’ll represent Chenango County well,” said Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan.
Garry was elected to the state’s Supreme Court in the 6th Judicial District in November of 2006. Prior to that she served as Town Justice for New Berlin from 2001 to 2006. Also during that time, since 1995 she worked as a litigator for the Joyce Law Firm in Sherburne. Garry graduated from Alfred University in 1984 and Albany Law School in 1990 and then clerked for Ingraham until 1994. Garry resides with her female life partner, step-son and adopted son.
Garry said she had been presiding over half of the supreme court actions in Tompkins County and all the court’s actions Madison County since January of last year. She is expected to complete her current work and begin hearing appeals by the end of the month.
“I am looking forward to the great challenges of this new role, and will serve to the very best of my ability,” said Garry.