In this essay I explain why Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle of the Appellate Division, Second Department, should be confirmed as the next Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals. The job of Chief Judge is a daunting task because it entails complex and intricate functions that are essential to the administration of justice in New York state. Judge LaSalle has the educational background, legal experience, administrative experience, and judicial experience to become a superb Chief Judge. Competence should be the principal criterion employed in determining whether Judge LaSalle should be confirmed as the next Chief Judge of New York. Judge LaSalle graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, which is one finest law schools in the United States. When he was in practice, most of his employment experience was in public service with the New York State Attorney General and the Suffolk County District Attorney. Significantly, while serving at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, he headed the Anti-Gang Unit. Historically, Suffolk County, particularly the Hispanic community in Suffolk County, has been terrorized by MS-13, which is a trans-national gang with origins in El Salvador. Judge LaSalle has a practical understanding of violent crime on society.

It is consequential that Judge LaSalle devoted most of his practice experience to the public sector and being a prosecutor. It is important to note many other Hispanic judges are former prosecutors including, but not limited to, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Judge Edgardo Ramos, and Judge Nelson S. Roman, all of whom are excellent jurists. It is laudable that Judge LaSalle dedicated his time in practice to fighting for the victims of crime.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]