Meetings with the Chief Judge and Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York and New York State Governor’s Counsel

For over thirty years, the Chief Judge of the State of New York has appointed judges, attorneys, and court administrators to the Franklin H. Williams Commission to make the court system more responsive to the concerns of people of color and to improve diversity in the legal profession and court system.

As part of ongoing efforts to measure progress, the Commission recently met with key stakeholders, including the Governor’s Counsel; and separately Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks, to highlight the Commission’s initiatives and achievements.

On January 20, 2022, the Commission met with Governor’s Counsel, Elizabeth Fine, Esq. along with Leigh M. Frany, Director of Judicial Screening Committee; Alyssa DeRosa, Assistant Counselor to the Governor; and Bella S. Satra, Assistant Counsel to the Governor.

Justice Troy Webber—in her capacity as Chair of the Commission—provided historical context for the creation of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial commission as an independent arm of the court system. Justice Webber addressed ongoing efforts to remediate racial and ethnic inequities in the New York State Courts and offered current demographic data corroborating the urgent need for improved diversity in the Appellate Division and Court of Claims judges. The Commission and the Governor’s Counsel began, and continue to maintain, a productive dialogue on possible solutions.

The Commission also met with Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks to reflect on successful recent initiatives and highlight opportunities for growth in 2022. The Commission spotlighted its judicial mentorship program, where thirteen mentees have ascended to the bench.

The success of the mentorship program parallels the expanding remit of the Commission itself—by February 2022 there will be five attorneys and two administrative staff members (including a satellite office in Albany), in addition to the recent selection of the Commission’s first-ever Legal Fellows.

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