**Note: These transcripts are subject to further technical revision and biographical citations.
In New York, for well more than a decade, we have taken the view that the court system has a unique role in informing public policy as it relates to the administration of justice. … [T]he courts have become the emergency room for society’s worst ailments — substance abuse, family violence, mental illness, mortgage foreclosures, and so many more — all of which are so much a part of the court dockets we face today. And if we are to fulfill our… CONTINUE READING
Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals, 1997-2003
Judge, The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2003-
Interviewed: 05/17/2012
Judge Wesley served on the New York Court of Appeals for six years, but has served as a judge – on New York Supreme Court, at the Appellate Division, and, now, on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit – for much longer. Throughout this time, and throughout his life, the Judge has retained strong ties to New York State, and the influence of his rural hometown of Livonia may be discerned in his approach to judging… CONTINUE READING
Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals, 1973-1984
Chief Judge, 1985-1992
Interviewed: 12/21/2011
Watch the Video
Sol Wachtler was born on April 29, 1930, the second son of traveling auctioneer Philip Wachtler and his wife Fay. Judge Wachtler grew up primarily in the rural South.
In 1947, Wachtler entered Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, graduating from its liberal arts and law school. He gave early indications of his leadership when elected President of the law school body and to Order of the Coif, with honors upon graduation.
Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals, 1979-1984
Interviewed: Between 2000-2002
Interview conducted outside of the Society’s Oral History Project
On September 9, 1971, more than 1,000 inmates rioted at Attica State Correctional Facility in Western New York. A guard and three inmates were killed during the siege. Four days later, heavily armed state troopers, sheriff’s deputies, and prison guards stormed the prison to free the hostages. In the resulting battle, 10 prison employees and 29 inmates died and more than 80 people were wounded. During the aftermath, charges surfaced that crimes committed by law enforcement officers during the siege… CONTINUE READING
One publication described meeting the Honorable Joseph W. Bellacosa as “finding yourself in the presence of a complete fulfillment of the American Dream.” Hearing his successful and wonderful life story evokes that exact sentiment.
Joseph W. Bellacosa was born on September 1, 1937 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where he was raised. He is the son of Italian immigrants. His father, Frank Bellacosa was born in Bitetto, Italy in 1909 and immigrated with his parents in 1910 to the United States… CONTINUE READING
Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals, 1975-1978
Chief Judge, 1979-1984
Interviewed: 08/30/1990
Interview conducted outside the Society’s Oral History Project
In 1972, three Republicans won election to the Court of Appeals in the landslide victory of President Richard M. Nixon, thus defeating Lawrence H. Cooke in his initial bid for a seat on the Court. Two years later, however, Judge Cooke, endorsed by the Democratic and Liberal Parties, was elected to the Court of Appeals with the highest vote of any of the five candidates.1
Judge Cooke’s popularity was well earned. He made sure that all who appeared before him… CONTINUE READING
Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals, 1968-1985
Interviewed: 04/15/2005
Judge Matthew J. Jasen served as an associate judge of the New York State Court of Appeals for eighteen years. A tireless advocate for the weaker members of society, Judge Jasen was a strong voice on the Court of Appeals while authoring more than 429 majority and 284 dissenting opinions. His legacy is one of well-reasoned, common sense jurisprudence that embodies both his deep-seated respect for stare decisis and his genuine concern for basic human rights. “Judge Jasen’s writings represent… CONTINUE READING
Transcript coming soon!
Recently, the Society completed the project of adding Judge Jasen’s oral history to the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project. In his oral history, Judge Jasen spoke extensively about his service during World War II, as well as his work as a U.S. Judge for the Third Military Government Judicial District at Heidelberg, Germany. The Matthew J. Jasen Collection is available for researchers here.
Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals, 1986-1993
Interviewed: 06/18/2011
Hancocks are known for leaving their mark on a page. Stewart F. Hancock, Jr.-who can trace back in his family tree to find the famous signatory1-has certainly left his mark in the official report pages of the State of New York.
A Family of Distinction
Stewart Freeborn Hancock, Jr. was born on February 2, 1923 in Syracuse, New York, one of seven children born to Stewart F. and Marion McLennan Hancock.2 Stewart F. Hancock, Sr., a highly-regarded Syracuse lawyer3 and… CONTINUE READING
She initially rose to prominence simply as the first woman ever to be appointed to the New York Court of Appeals. As the years passed, however, it was widely recognized that Judith Smith Kaye was one of the preeminent jurists in the country, regardless of gender. But perhaps her most lasting legacy will be the fruits of her term as Chief Judge, a position in which she has served longer than any of her 21 predecessors. In that capacity… CONTINUE READING
Judge Kaye also participated in the American Bar Association’s Women Trailblazers in the Law, a project of the Senior Lawyers Division. Her oral history interviews can be read on the ABA’s website here.
