NEW YORK - Chief Administrative
Judge Jonathan Lippman announced today the appointment of
Hon. Vito C. Caruso as Administrative Judge for the Fourth
Judicial District. The appointment, which takes effect immediately,
was made with the approval of Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye
and in consultation with Presiding Appellate Division Justice
Anthony V. Cardona, following a screening process conducted
by Judge Lippman and Hon. Jan Plumadore, Deputy Chief Administrative
Judge for Courts Outside New York City. Justice Caruso succeeds
Judge Plumadore, who was appointed to his current position
in April of this year.
In making the announcement, Judge Lippman praised Judge Caruso, saying, “Justice
Caruso is well-known and well respected by his colleagues and the legal community
of the Fourth District. As a jurist, Judge Caruso is the premier example of professionalism:
he is diligent, fair and erudite, adhering to the highest ethical standards.
Known for his commitment to public service both on and off the bench, Justice
Caruso has dedicated his entire professional life to the law, as well as volunteering
countless hours to a multitude of legal and civic endeavors within his community.
I am grateful to have such a distinguished candidate for this post and feel
confident that he will bring only credit to the courts in the Fourth District.”
Justice Caruso was elected to the State Supreme Court in 1994 and has been responsible
for coordinating trial court operations and supervising trial assignments in
Schenectady for the past three years. Prior to his ascension to the bench, he
held various legal positions, including partner at a private law firm, Deputy
County Attorney for Schenectady County, Counsel to the New York State Assembly
Minority, and Counsel for the Town of Duanesburg. Justice Caruso chairs the Committee
on Consolidation and Modernization of the Schenectady Court Facilities and the
Schenectady County Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Task Force, and is a member
of the Schenectady County Youth Court Advisory Board. After graduating from the
State University of New York at New Paltz, he was certified to commence a law
clerkship by the New York State Court of Appeals and was admitted to the bar
in 1977. Justice Caruso has been previously honored with the New York State Trial
Lawyers Association Felix J. Aulisi Award and the Pro Bono Distinguished Service
Award from the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York. Judge Caruso is very
active in his community, contributing his personal time to a wide range of organizations.
He, his wife and daughter reside in Schenectady.
Judge Lippman added, “I want to thank Judge Plumadore for his stalwart
leadership as Fourth District Administrative Judge for over a decade—a
record length of time for an administrative judge. Now I have the good fortune
of being able to continue to rely on his exceptional managerial talents in
his expanded role of oversight, as Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for all
courts outside New York City. I am grateful to Judge Plumadore for his many
labors, both past and present, on behalf of the New York court system.”
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