Corey Stoughton, a career public-interest lawyer, is again a finalist to join the New York Court of Appeals — this time as a candidate for chief judge to head the seven-judge court and the statewide $2.4 billion Unified Court System.

Stoughton, who pilots special litigation for the Legal Aid Society, is one of seven candidates under consideration by Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose nomination is to come on or before Dec. 23. Her pick is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.