New York State Chief Judge Rowan Wilson speaks at the Law Day Ceremony at the Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn New York, on May 10, 2023. Photo: Ryland West/ALM

New York Court of Appeals Chief Judge Rowan Wilson addressed a crowd of jurists and cour staff to thunderous applause on Wednesday during a Law Day celebration in Brooklyn. The theme of the event was "Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration." Wilson started by apologizing, saying he hadn't been aware he was speaking Wednesday so he had no prepared remarks. "We are now at a point in our history where a lot of discussion is uncivil, and collaboration across people of divergent views is lacking. There are things we can do better, but let's not panic," he said. "If we remember the greatest triumphs of our society [...] most of them were born out of moments when things came to a head." "We all survived, we all thrived," he continued. "Where we should be worried is about the lack of civic education." Wilson's remarks were followed by comments from acting Chief Administrative Judge of New York State Courts Tamiko Amaker, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of New York City Courts Deborah Kaplan, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina Richardson-Mendelson, Brooklyn Supreme Criminal Court Judge Matthew D'Emic, retired Brooklyn Surrogates Court Judge Frank Seddio, and County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors Nancy Sunshine. The event was emceed by Brooklyn Supreme Civil Court Judge Lawrence Knipel and the keynote speaker was Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix. "We are stronger together than we are standing apart," Hinds-Radix told the crowd. "We are stronger in our diversity, in our ability to teach and learn from one another. We are stronger as we pause to listen." "Civility matters," she continued. "It really is significant that in 2023 we're still talking about the need to be civil." Prior to remarks, Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Danny Chun serenaded the group with the national anthem, singing from a microphone on the dais. The celebration also ended in song, with Knipel and D'Emic whipping out guitars and a harmonica and singing "This Land is Your Land" to the many jurists, who sang along. The hour-long ceremony was held in the jury room at 360 Adams, and culminated with the unveiling of a portrait of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a gift to the court.