On December 13, 1915, Matthew J. Jasen was born in Buffalo, New York. In a public career that spanned much of the 20th century, his achievements were remarkable, including service as a United States Judge in post-war Germany, and 18 years as an Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals where he authored more than 800 signed opinions. In later years, he served as Special Master by appointment of the United States Supreme Court. His deeply principled jurisprudence, personal warmth and abiding commitment to the rule of law have been recalled and celebrated many times, including by his friends and colleagues such as Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, Judge Albert M. Rosenblatt, and Judge Eugene F. Pigott, Jr., as well as his law clerks (including two Historical Society trustees, Michael B. Powers and John J. Halloran, Jr.). For its part, the Historical Society has prepared this biographical sketch.
For this Centennial, the Historical Society is pleased to provide access to rare video footage of the ceremony at Court of Appeals Hall in Albany, New York on the occasion of Judge Jasen’s retirement. On December 17, 1985, the Court of Appeals opened its doors to a television crew from the PBS/WMHT program, “Inside Albany,” who filmed the Judge’s retirement ceremony in the Court’s library and an interview with the Judge in his chambers. The Historical Society extends its appreciation to WMHT, and Syracuse University, for preserving the episode and making it available to the Historical Society for the benefit of the historical record. Continue reading
