Over the past year, the Judiciary has confronted many challenges that reinforce the importance of an independent judiciary and the value of working together as members of the Judicial Section to advance fairness, efficiency and justice for all. As members of the judiciary and the bar prepare to gather at the Judicial Section Awards Luncheon during the 2019 New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting, this is an occasion to reflect on the history of the Judicial Section and how the fundamental principles underpinning its formation are still relevant today.

At its Annual Meeting held on Jan. 20, 1923, the New York State Bar Association convened a meeting of judges in the state to obtain their views on the formation of a judicial section. On this question, Justice A.F.H. Seeger remarked: “It is regrettable that so many of the Justices in the State are not acquainted with each other and I think the creation of this Section would tend to bring the Justices nearer together, where they may exchange ideas, experiences and so promote the work and the cooperation of the Bench and the Bar.” The following year, Calvin Coolidge, just five months into his presidency, signaled support for legislation by which the procedure in the federal trial courts would be simplified to expedite the hearing and disposal of cases. Against this backdrop, Association members voted unanimously at the Jan. 19, 1924 Annual Meeting to form the Judicial Section as its first section. The Association had a keen appreciation of the role of the judiciary in advancing affirmative reforms.

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