Justice Collins J. Seitz Jr.

Collins J. Seitz Jr. was sworn in Nov. 8 for his first term as chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Now-retired Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice Leo E. Strine Jr., whom Seitz is replacing on the court, administered the oath of office during the ceremony, which took place at the New Castle Courthouse. 

Gov. John Carney nominated Seitz for chief justice in late October.

In a statement, Carney called Seitz "one of Delaware's finest legal minds" and said he was poised to continue the tradition of excellence within the state's judiciary.

"Delaware courts have a longstanding reputation across our country as objective, stable and nonpartisan," Carney said. "Justice Seitz has the judgment, sense of fairness and experience necessary to maintain and build on that reputation as our next chief justice."

Seitz' elevation to the top spot in Delaware's judiciary capped an unusual and historic selection process, which also resulted in the nomination of Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Tamika Montgomery-Reeves as the first African American, and only the third woman, to serve on the high court.

Seitz became a Delaware Supreme Court justice in 2015 following a nomination from Gov. Jack Markell. 

Before joining the court, Seitz was a founding partner of Seitz Ross Aronstam & Moritz. As a litigator, he handled corporate, commercial and intellectual property matters. He also worked for Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz for over 30 years.