Yesterday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced appointments to fill vacancies in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the Second, Third and Fourth Judicial Departments. The Second Department comprises a ten county area, including Kings, Queens and Richmond Counties, Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley, while the Third Department covers the mid-Hudson valley to the Canadian Border, reaching west toward Schuyler and Chemung Counties, and the Fourth Department encompasses twenty-two counties in the Western and Central New York.

"I am proud that Justices Barros, Clark, DeJoseph, Devine, and Lynch will be continuing their exemplary record of service in our judicial system,” Governor Cuomo said. “Each of these Justices has established an impressive career history within our courts and I am honored to appoint them to the Appellate Division."

Appellate Division-2nd Department Appointees

Honorable Betsy Barros – Justice Barros was elected to the Supreme Court, Kings County. Her judicial career began in 1996 when she was elected to the New York City Civil Court. Justice Barros started her legal career with the Criminal Defense Division of the Brooklyn Legal Aid Society in 1982 and left in 1988 to become a Special Assistant Attorney General with the Office of the Special State Prosecutor for the New York City Criminal Justice System. From 1990 to 1995, she worked for the Kings County District Attorney’s office, first as Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau before becoming Chief of the Gray Zone Trial Bureau in 1992. Justice Barros received a B.A. in American Studies from Cornell University in 1979 and her J.D. from New York University Law School in 1982.

Appellate Division-3rd Department Appointees:

Honorable Christine M. Clark – Justice Clark was elected to the Supreme Court, Schenectady County, in 2012. Her judicial career began in 2005 when she was appointed by Mayor Brian Stratton as a Schenectady City Court Judge, a position she held for six years prior to becoming a Schenectady County Family Court Judge in 2011. Justice Clark began her legal career in 1995 with the law firm of Dreyer Boyajian LLP, first as a law clerk and then becoming an Associate upon receiving her juris doctorate. In 1998, she joined the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant DA. From 2001-2004, Justice Clark was the Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Prosecutor before becoming Bureau Chief, Special Victims Unit during her last year with the DA’s office. She received a B.A. in History and Political Science from Columbia University in 1993 and a J.D. cum laude from Albany Law School in 1996.

Honorable Eugene P. Devine – Justice Devine was elected to the Supreme Court, Albany County, in 2006. Prior to his election to the bench he was the Chief Public Defender for Albany County since 1996 and was also of Counsel in the Albany law firm of Girvin & Ferlazzo from 2000-2006. Justice Devine’s legal career began in 1975 as an Assistant Public Defender for Albany County and with the law firm of Cooper, Erving & Savage LLP. In 1985, he became Chief Counsel for the Albany County Department of Social Services and Managing Partner of Devine, Piedmont & Rutnik, before starting his own law practice in 1990. From 1995 to 2000, he worked as Counsel for the law firm of Carter, Conboy, Case, Blackmore, Maloney & Laird, P.C. Justice Devine received a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from Villanova University in 1971 and his J.D. from Albany Law School in 1975.

Honorable Michael C. Lynch – Justice Lynch was elected to the Supreme Court, Albany County, in 2005. His legal career began in 1980 with the Albany County District Attorney’s office and has also included serving as Counsel for the Albany County IDA and the historic City of Albany Charter Revision of 1998. From 1981 to 1989, Justice Lynch served as the Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Leonard A. Weiss, Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department. Prior to his judicial election, he was a Partner in the firm of Lynch & Lynch for sixteen years, as well as serving as Albany County Attorney from 1995 to 2005. Justice Lynch received a B.A. cum laude in English from Union College in 1976 and a J.D. from Albany Law School in 1979.

Appellate Division-4th Department:

Honorable Brian F. DeJoseph – Justice DeJoseph was elected to the Supreme Court, Onondaga County, in 2000. His judicial career began in 1981 when he was elected to Syracuse City Court, a position in which he served until his election to Supreme Court. From 1987 through 2000, he was the Supervising Judge of Syracuse City Court. Justice DeJoseph began his legal career in 1975 as an Associate with Law Office of John E. Shaffer. In 1979, he was Partner in the law firm of Brandt & DeJoseph until his election as City Court Judge. Justice DeJoseph received a B.A. magna cum laude in Economics from Syracuse University in 1972 and a J.D. cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law in 1975.

The Second, Third and Fourth Department Judicial Screening Committees submitted to the Governor candidates who were deemed “highly qualified.” These candidates displayed integrity, independence, leadership, intellect, legal ability, judgment, temperament and experience.

Under the New York State Constitution and Judiciary Law, the Governor has the authority to appoint Justices to each Appellate Division from among those who have been elected as Justices of the Supreme Court. These appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation.