| Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman today announced
the appointment of Hon. Thomas M. Van Strydonck as Administrative Judge
for the Seventh Judicial District. The appointment, which is effective
immediately, was made by Judge Lippman with the approval of Chief Judge
Judith S. Kaye and in consultation with Hon. Eugene F. Pigott, Jr., the
Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department.
Judge Lippman said, "Justice Van Strydonck is a highly respected member
of the Seventh Judicial District's legal community. He has been an outstanding
practicing lawyer for many years and, since 1998, an enormously skilled,
fair, and productive jurist. A former President of the Monroe County Bar
Association and many other organizations, Judge Van Strydonck has demonstrated
great leadership ability throughout his professional career, as well as
in numerous civic pursuits. I am pleased that he has accepted this important
assignment and am confident that Justice Van Strydonck will bring credit
to the court system as Administrative Judge."
Justice Van Strydonck began his Supreme Court tenure in 1998, after
almost two decades at a 14-attorney firm, where he served as managing partner
during the last seven years. Prior to that, he was a trial lawyer at the
Monroe County District Attorney's Office and served in the military both
as a Division Officer in the U.S. Navy and a Commanding Officer, overseeing
five Naval Reserve units. Justice Van Strydonck has led a number of organizations
as president, including the Monroe County Bar Association, Volunteer Legal
Services, Pre-Trial Release Services, Adam Walsh Child Resource Center
and the Monroe County Bar Foundation, and was a board member of the Veteran's
Outreach Center. Commended by the Greater Rochester Association of Women
Attorneys for his sensitivity to issues involving women and minorities,
Justice Van Strydonck was a lecturer at the Rape Crisis Center and Monroe
Community College.
In his new position, Justice Van Strydonck replaces Hon. L. Paul Kehoe,
who was appointed to the Appellate Division in the Fourth Department earlier
this year.
Judge Lippman added, "I want to express my gratitude to Justice Kehoe
for his outstanding service as Administrative Judge for the Seventh District
over the past several years. Judge Kehoe was an innovative and resourceful
administrator, who introduced new efficiencies in court operations during
his tenure, which greatly enhanced the district's productivity. I would
also like to thank Justice Donald Mark, who has been serving as the interim
Administrative Judge since Judge Kehoe's appointment to the Appellate Division,
for his willingness to step in during a period of transition." |
