News from New York State Bar Association

For more information contact: Andrew Rush, 518-463-3200

New York State Bar Association Releases Ratings of Candidates For Court of Appeals Vacancy

ALBANY, NY (10/25/2007; 1423)(readMedia)-- New York State Bar Association President Kathryn Grant Madigan (Levene Gouldin & Thompson LLP) today announced that the bar association’s ratings for the five candidates under consideration for associate judge of the New York Court of Appeals are complete and have been sent to Governor Eliot Spitzer. The Governor must make his appointment by November 11, 2007.

To assist the appointment process, the State Bar Association reviews the qualifications of candidates nominated by the state Commission on Judicial Nomination. The ratings for each candidate are as follows:

CANDIDATE

George F. Carpinello, Esq. Partner, Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP Albany, N.Y. RATING: Well Qualified

Hon. Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals RATING: Well Qualified

Jeremy G. Epstein, Esq. Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP New York, N.Y. RATING: Well Qualified

Hon. Helen E. Freedman Supreme Court Justice, New York County RATING: Well Qualified

Stephen C. Krane, Esq. Partner, Proskauer Rose LLP New York, N.Y. RATING: Well Qualified

The ratings were prepared by the state bar’s Committee to Review Judicial Nominations chaired by Maxwell S. Pfeifer of the Bronx. The Committee considered professional ability, experience, character, temperament, and other qualities in arriving at a determination for each candidate. Each candidate’s qualifications and background were thoroughly examined by a subcommittee. Personal interviews were then conducted before the entire statewide committee. Members had the option of rating each candidate as either “Well-Qualified,” “Qualified,” or “Not Qualified.”

According to state bar guidelines, “Qualified” applies to candidates who, in the committee’s opinion, have demonstrated the necessary qualifications for the office while, “Well Qualified” is reserved for those who possess preeminent qualifications, in the committee’s judgment.

The NYSBA has been evaluating candidates for the state’s highest tribunal since 1967. Its recommendations have traditionally been taken into consideration by the state’s chief executive. The Commission on Judicial Nomination was created in 1978 to evaluate and recommend candidates for appointment to the Court of Appeals.

The 72,000-member New York State Bar Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Founded in 1876, NYSBA programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years. The New York State Bar Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation.

A copy Madigan’s letter to Governor Spitzer is available at the association’s web site, www.nysba.org/judicialratings.

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