Judge Geraci moves from confirmation to transition

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The packing has begun as Monroe County Court Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. prepares to move to the federal courthouse, where, as of January, he will be sworn in as a U.S. District Court judge for the Western District of New York.

A full box, one of many to come, waits outside his chambers in the Hall of Justice where he is wrapping up his caseload.

Judge Geraci, who was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, said he is looking forward to getting back into the federal system and working with the federal judges, many with whom he has a prior working relationship, having previously served as a U.S. attorney.

“It’s certainly the best holiday gift the Western District Court could have received,” said Chief Judge William M. Skretny, who oversees the Western District of New York, which includes 17 counties and has offices in Buffalo (main office) and Rochester. “I think this will have an immediate and dramatic impact on what the court will be able to do, administering to their cases in the system. I think it’s a very overall positive impact.

“I’ve spoken with Judge Geraci a couple of times very recently, including right after notification of his confirmation and he’s very anxious to join the federal bench,” Judge Skretny added. “He’s very honored to have this opportunity to serve the people of Western New York.”

Judge Geraci said he was honored to receive the vote of the Senate and the confidence of Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who recommended him for nomination in February; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the state’s junior senator; and President Barack Obama, who nominated Judge Geraci in May.

Judge Geraci said he expects to be available on Jan. 1 and to handle a variety of matters including complex civil and criminal litigation. He believes his background in mediation and arbitration, cited by Schumer, will be an additional plus in presiding over federal cases.

“They are a great bunch of judges here,” Judge Geraci said of his future assignment. “I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”

Judge Geraci said District Judge Michael A. Telesca has been a role model of his since before he first became a judge in Rochester City Court in 1992. Judge Telesca, a federal judge since 1982, has been on senior status since 1996, but still hears cases.

Judge Geraci and U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman are former law partners who also co-founded United States Arbitration and Mediation of Upstate New York, which they ran until 1992 when Judge Feldman was appointed a federal public defender and Judge Geraci began serving as a Rochester City Court judge.

“I could see as a judge you could do tremendous service to the community,” Judge Geraci said, noting it was a natural progression to move to Monroe County Court in 1999. He said the federal judgeship brings him full circle and is the pinnacle of his career.

Prior to becoming a judge, the 1977 graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law was a special assistant district attorney in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office; and an assistant U.S. attorney.

He has also served as an executive assistant to Monroe County Democratic Committee Chair Laurence Kirwan and as an adjunct professor at St. John Fisher College.

Judge Geraci was studying political science at the University of Dayton in the early 1970s when he decided to pursue a law career, after being influenced by Professor Gerald Kerns.

“He taught me both constitutional law and criminal law,” Judge Geraci recalled. “He had a keen interest in the law, particularly Supreme Court cases.”

He said he never thought he would be a trial lawyer, but gained an appreciation of the courtroom from Judge Walter Rice who taught trial practice at the University of Dayton School of Law.

“I liked being in a courtroom,” Judge Geraci said. “I like the competitive nature of it and the advocacy.”

He began his professional career in 1978 under then-District Attorney Lawrence Kurlander, whom he called a tough, bright good prosecutor, saying he was fortunate to be a part of his administration.

A year later, Judge Geraci married Karla Peterson, who is now an administrative assistant with city government. They have four children: Kimberley Brock, a business manager at Wegmans; Pamela Tellier, an elementary teacher in the Rochester City School District; Michael, an attorney at the Rochester firm Trevett Cristo Salzer & Andolina PC; and Matthew, a freshman at the University of Dayton. The couple also have three grandchildren: Chase Brock, and Riley and Kennedi Tellier.

“The thing that intrigues me about the law is there are a lot of gray areas,” Judge Geraci said. “There’s not a lot of black and white.”

He said he enjoys peeling away the layers of the multiple issues, advocating on behalf of people and helping solve problems.

Judge Geraci is filling the seat held by District Judge David G. Larimer, who was elevated to senior status nearly four years ago, but still hears cases, as well.

Before Judge Geraci even starts his new job, there is another vacancy to fill on the federal court. Less than 48 hours after his confirmation vote, Judge Charles J. Siragusa was elevated to senior status, having announced his intentions several months ago.

“It creates an immediate vacancy,” said Judge Skretny. “We’re hoping that the vacancy will be filled expeditiously and the prospects are good for doing that.”

He said it is his understanding that Judge Siragusa will continue to handle a full calendar until his replacement is on board. Judge Skretny said Judges Larimer and Telesca are going to remain in senior status.

“They’re making a significant contribution to the court right now and I don’t see that diminishing at all,” Judge Skretny said. “They’re looking forward to working full time.”

He added that the confirmation of Judge Geraci enables the senior judges to consider taking a lighter caseload.

“I think to some extent they will but, very honestly, I don’t think either is contemplating leaving the bench,” Judge Skretny said.

Judge Geraci said the confirmation process, which began nearly a year ago, was intense, but he understands why as the lifetime position is a critical part of the federal court system.

Before Schumer recommended Judge Geraci to be nominated by Obama, he had him interviewed by a panel of 12 attorneys in New York City.

Judge Geraci, who received the president’s nomination May 14, was also interviewed by attorneys from the White House Counsel’s Office, the Department of Justice and the American Bar Association. There was also an FBI investigation which included interviews with more than 30 judges in the area, attorneys, former employers and even Judge Geraci’s neighbors.

Judge Geraci also had to complete a lengthy questionnaire for the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which approved his nomination July 19 and forwarded it to the full Senate for a vote, which took place Thursday.

“It was exhausting,” said Judge Geraci, noting he was also questioned on remarks he made at various speaking engagement through the years.  “The difficult thing was trying to remember everything said in different situations.”

He also said he expects his law clerk, Connie O. Walker, and secretary, Susan Walzer, to join him. Both have worked for him for a long time. Walker is also president of the Monroe County Bar Association.

Judge Geraci, the only son of the Frank P. Sr. and Anne (Carson) Geraci, grew up on Edinburgh Street on the city’s East Side. He said his father, who managed a number of local hotels before he died at age 53, was a hard worker and well-known in the community. Judge Geraci credits his parents with instilling a strong work ethic in himself and his four sisters, as well as making education a priority for their children and sacrificing so the future judge could attend McQuaid Jesuit which Friday posted a message on its website (www.mcquaid.org), congratulating its 1969 alumnus on his professional achievement.