| BUFFALO, NY - Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan
Lippman today announced two new appointments within the Eighth Judicial
District: Hon. Richard C. Kloch, Sr., as Supervising Judge of Criminal
Courts and Hon. Michael F. Griffith as Supervising Judge of Family Courts.
Both appointments were made with the approval of Chief Judge Judith S.
Kaye and in consultation with Presiding Justice Eugene F. Pigott, Jr.,
of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, as well as after discussions
with the Administrative Judge for Courts Outside of New York City,
Joseph J. Traficanti, Jr., and the Administrative Judge for the Eighth
District, Sharon S. Townsend. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Judge Townsend said, "Judge Kloch has nearly two decades of experience
on the bench handling criminal matters and was instrumental in spearheading
specialized court parts to focus on domestic violence cases and drug abuse
cases when he presided over the City Court of North Tonawanda. He is highly
respected within the legal community for his knowledge of the law, integrity
and fairness. Judge Kloch has many innovative ideas to enhance processing
of the criminal caseload and the wherewithal to see them through to fruition.
I look forward to working with him in this regard."
Judge Townsend further stated, "Judge Griffith comes to this position
recommended by his many years of judicial service in various courts and
regions of western New York. As a long-time judge in Family Court, he is
highly sensitive to the complex and delicate issues adjudicated in this
court and will undoubtedly provide the skilled leadership necessary to
achieve the goal of making Family Court more accessible to families and
the general public. I am confident that Judge Griffith will be a great
asset to court administration in the Eighth District and welcome him to
this position."
A graduate of Toledo Law School and the University of Bridgeport, Judge
Griffith has been a multi-jurisdictional judge in Wyoming County since
1992, handling County Court, Surrogate's Court and primarily Family Court
matters. From 1984 to 1991, he served as the Wyoming County District Attorney,
after several years as an Assistant Public Defender and while also conducting
a private practice that emphasized family law. The position Judge Griffith
takes as Supervising Judge of Family Courts was left vacant when Judge
Sharon Townsend was appointed Administrative Judge for the Eighth District
last month.
Judge Kloch, who takes the position of Supervising Judge of Criminal
Courts following the retirement of Hon. Joseph P. McCarthy, first became
a City Court Judge for North Tonawanda in 1986. He was subsequently appointed
a Court of Claims Judge in June 2001 and served as an Acting Supreme Court
Justice, handling criminal matters, after an extensive career in Western
New York's legal community, including positions as assistant county attorney,
city attorney, town attorney, counsel for the New York State Office of
Drug Abuse Services and the general practice of law. He is a graduate of
the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.
Supreme Court Justice John P. Lane will continue as the Supervising
Judge of the Civil Calendar for the Eighth District |
