Biography Category: First Department

Upon the death of Justice Francis L. Valente, Bernard Botein, the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division First Department paid tribute to him, saying … More Francis L. Valente »

Born in 1848 in New York City, to Thomas and Eleanor Augusta Scott, Justice Scott graduated from City College of New York in 1867 … More Francis M. Scott »

Clarence John Shearn was born in Leeds, Massachusetts in 1869. As a young man he graduated from Cornell University in 1890 and from New … More Clarence J. Shearn »

It was said of Justice Henry L. Sherman that “He was one of the outstanding jurists of the day . . . His opinions … More Henry L. Sherman »

In a Letter to the Editor of the New York Times upon the passing of Justice Shientag, Mr. James McGurrin wrote: “While Bernard L. … More Bernard L. Shientag »

Samuel Joshua Silverman was born in Odessa, Russia, on September 25, 1908. He and his family emigrated to New York in 1913, and he … More Samuel J. Silverman »

Justice Smith also sat on the bench of the 3rd and 4th Departments; more information can be found HERE and HERE, respectively. Born in … More Walter Lloyd Smith »

Justice David Warner Peck played a leading role in court reform in the 1940s and 1950s. He oversaw the state’s court system in Manhattan … More David W. Peck »

Justice Proskauer was born on August 6, 1877 in Mobile Alabama to Alfred and Rebecca L. Proskauer. His family were German and Austrian immigrants … More Joseph M. Proskauer »

The motto “In God We Trust” is displayed over the bench of every judge in the State of New York as a result of … More James B. M. McNally »