Late last week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that he will nominate Justice Leslie E. Stein to serve on the New York State Court of Appeals – New York State’s highest court. Justice Stein, who resides in Albany County, is currently an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division (Third Department) of the New York State Supreme Court – and has served as a justice or judge on New York’s courts for the last 17 years. She received the highest rating possible from seven different bar and legal associations that considered her potential nomination to the Court of Appeals. In addition to her extensive legal career, Justice Stein has been active in numerous civic groups, including those dedicated to advocating for women, families, and victims of domestic abuse.

“Justice Leslie Stein has extensive judicial experience and has worked throughout her career to help ensure that women, families, victims of domestic violence, and vulnerable New Yorkers have a voice in our legal system. She has also sought to advance the cause of women and diversity in the legal profession,” said Governor Cuomo. “Having served for more than 17 years on a variety of city, county, state trial, and appellate courts, Justice Stein is eminently well qualified for this position and well regarded within the legal community. I am confident that she would serve with distinction on the New York State Court of Appeals and I am pleased to put forward her nomination to the New York State Senate.”

Justice Leslie E. Stein said: “After 17 years serving on the bench, I am humbled and deeply honored to accept this nomination to the Court of Appeals. I thank Governor Cuomo and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the State of New York.”

Justice Stein received the highest possible rating – when considering her potential nomination to the Court of Appeals – from the New York State Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, the Tri-County Bar Association (Erie County, Monroe County, Onondaga County), the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, the Albany County Bar Association, and the Broome County Bar Association.

Justice Stein is the third person that Governor Cuomo has nominated to serve on the New York State Court of Appeals. Governor Cuomo had previously appointed Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam and Judge Jenny Rivera to the Court of Appeals, each of whom were confirmed in 2013.

Today’s appointment is to a position resulting from the expiration of Judge Victoria A. Graffeo’s 14-year term. Governor Cuomo thanked Judge Graffeo for her work on the Court of Appeals and her dedicated public service to the State of New York.

Governor Cuomo also thanked Judge Judith S. Kaye and the Commission on Judicial Nomination for recommending an exceptionally talented and high-quality group of potential nominees.

New York State Bar Association President-elect David P. Miranda, said: “Justice Leslie Stein has served on the Appellate Division with distinction. Our Committee to Review Judicial Nominations found her ‘well qualified’ to serve on the Court of Appeals.”

Andrea Composto, Esq., President-Elect, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), said: “WBASNY is proud to be one of the key state bar associations to participate in the judicial screening for the Court of Appeals. As lawyers and advocates we consider this process to be of the highest importance. Judge Leslie Stein is a past President of our Capital District Chapter and was found by our screening committee to be highly qualified approved and commended. We congratulate her on this appointment and thank the Governor for his consideration of WBASNY’s screening results.”

Background of Justice Leslie E. Stein

In 2008, Justice Stein was appointed as a justice of the Appellate Division (Third Department) of the New York State Supreme Court. Prior to that, she served as a judge on the trial bench of the New York State Supreme Court (2002-2008) – during which time she served as Presiding Judge of the Rensselaer County Integrated Domestic Part (2006-2008). She became Albany City Court Judge in 1997, and served as Acting Albany County Family Court Judge in 2001. Before becoming a judge, she worked in private practice from 1983 to 1996, specializing in matrimonial and family law. Justice Stein received her B.A. from Macalester College (Phi Beta Kappa) and her J.D. from Albany Law School (Magna Cum Laude).

Among her many legal and civic activities, Justice Stein has served on the New York State Bar Association, the Albany County Bar Association, the Women’s Club of Albany, the New York State Association of Women Judges, the Capital District Women’s Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. She has also served as co-chair of the New York State Unified Court System Family Violence Task Force and on the Hunger Action Network of New York State, the Men’s Coalition Against Battering, the Albany County League of Women Voters, and the Albany Law School Board of Trustees.

There will be an additional vacancy on the Court of Appeals at the end of this year when Judge Robert S. Smith reaches the mandatory retirement age. The Governor must put forward a nomination to fill that vacancy based on a list of between 3 and 7 prospective candidates recommended by the Commission on Judicial Nomination.