June 21, 2017: New York State Bar Association Praises Senate for Confirming Paul G. Feinman to the Court of Appeals
6.21.2017
New York State Bar Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman today praised the state Senate for swiftly confirming the nomination of Appellate Judge Paul G. Feinman as an associate justice on the state Court of Appeals.
“Justice Feinman possesses strong skills that will serve him well as associate judge,” Gerstman told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. She noted a 17-member committee of the State Bar found him “well qualified,” its highest rating, after examining his “professional ability and experience, character, temperament, and possession of the special qualities necessary or desirable for the judicial office sought.”
Feinman brings to the state’s highest court 20 years of judicial experience. Since 2012, he has served as an associate justice of the Appellate Division, First Department. Previously, he served on the state Supreme Court and the Civil Court of New York City. He also was principal law clerk to Appellate Division Associate Justice Angela Mazzarelli and a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society.
Feinman also has been active in the New York State Bar Association. He was the presiding member of its Judicial Section in 2012-2013 and a member of its House of Delegates in 2013-14.
“As the first openly gay judge on the Court of Appeals, Feinman’s appointment underscores the principle that all New Yorkers are equal under the law,” Gerstman said.
Feinman will succeed Associate Justice Sheila Abdus-Salaam, who died in April.
The 72,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.
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Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen
Director of Media Services
518/487-5530
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