Touting her "extensive experience and diverse background," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday afternoon named Appellate Division, First Department Associate Justice Dianne Renwick to be presiding justice of the court, making her the first woman of color to lead the court since its creation in 1894.

"New Yorkers deserve a thoughtful, attentive and independent leader of the First Department, and I'm proud to make a historic appointment in Justice Dianne Renwick," Hochul said in a statement.