Rowan Wilson Is Confirmed as New York's Chief Judge

[brooklynite]

Source: New York Times

ALBANY, N.Y. — Judge Rowan Wilson, a liberal-leaning jurist, was confirmed as chief judge of New York State’s highest court on Tuesday, making him the first Black judge to hold the post at a time when state courts are playing a crucial role in deciding questions of fundamental rights.

Judge Wilson’s elevation from associate judge to chief judge of the Court of Appeals could open a new chapter for the court after the six-year tenure of Janet DiFiore, the previous chief judge, who wielded her influence to push the court to the right.

His confirmation by the State Senate in a 40-to-19 vote marked the end of a tumultuous quarrel that had divided ruling Democrats in Albany after the upper chamber rejected Gov. Kathy Hochul’s initial nominee two months ago, in an unprecedented rebuke by her own party.

In addition to deciding cases that reach the Court of Appeals, at times among the most influential courts in the country, the chief judge administers the state’s court system, with its 16,000 employees and $3 billion budget.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/nyregion/rowan-wilson-ny-chief-judge.html

[ColinC]

1. I intentionally refused to read articles about him before

His name sounded too similar to Owen Wilson for me 😂

That being said, this is delightful news!

[Ligyron]

2. I was thinking he was the dude who played the hilarious "Blackadder", a Brit comedy.