Scudder reappointed presiding justice

The Hon. Henry J. Scudder has been reappointed presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department.

The new appointment was made by incoming Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Justice Scudder, who was elected to a second 14-year term in November, needed to be reappointed because his term had ended, according to a governor’s spokesman.                   

“I wish to thank Gov. Cuomo for his confidence in me,” Justice Scudder said in a release. “The last four years as presiding justice have been among the most rewarding of my career. I appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with my colleagues and staff at the Fourth Department in this capacity. I am also grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with Chief Judge [Jonathan] Lippman and my colleagues on the Administrative Board on reforms to improve the legal system.”

Justice Scudder has served as presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department since November 2006 when he was appointed by then-Gov. George Pataki.

Justice Scudder also sits on the Administrative Board of the Courts, the policy and rule making body of the Unified Court System. The board consists of the chief judge of the Court of Appeals and the four presiding justices of the Appellate Division.

In addition to deciding appeals from lower courts in the 22-county Fourth Department, Justice Scudder is responsible for the administration of the court and overseeing the operation of its auxiliary agencies including, the Attorney Grievance Office, the Mental Hygiene Legal Services Office, the Office of Attorneys for Children and the Appellate Division Law Library.

Cuomo also reappointed Associate Justices Eugene M. Fahey, Salvatore R. Martoche and Erin M. Peradotto who are Supreme Court justices in Erie County in the Eighth Judicial District.