Senate committee reviews Wolford’s qualifications

Rochester attorney Elizabeth A. Wolford is nearing the final hurdle in her quest to be the next judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

Wolford was one of four nominees who appeared Wednesday before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, answering a few questions from Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa.

Grassley questioned Wolford about her lack of experience in criminal matters and what her recusal policy would be with respect to The Wolford Law Firm LLP for which she has worked the last 20 years.

“I would recuse myself from any matter that The Wolford Law Firm was handling or in which it was a party,” Wolford answered. “Both my father and my brother are with the firm and will continue to be with the firm and it would be inappropriate for me to handle any matter in which the firm was appearing.”

The firm was founded by Wolford’s father, Michael R. Wolford, who attended the hearing along with his son and fellow law partner, James S. Wolford.

Grassley pointed out that Wolford’s questionnaire, filled out as part of the nomination process, indicated only 5 percent of her litigation experience involved criminal matters. He asked what experience she did have with criminal law and, “more importantly,” what steps she has taken or will take to familiarize herself with criminal law.

Wolford acknowledged she would “absolutely have to get up to speed” in that area of law.

“First of all, I’ll read anything I can to come up to speed, including materials that I’ve already received from the Federal Judicial Center,” she said. “There’s one thing I’ve learned, senator, in my over 20 years of practice, is that there’s absolutely no substitute for hard work and that certainly will not change if I’m fortunate enough to be confirmed.”

Wolford was introduced by Schumer, who recommended her for nomination in early March and presided over the hearing.

“Ms. Wolford has been a remarkable leader in the Rochester legal community, ever since she graduated law school, working as an associate and partner at The Wolford Law Firm with her family,” Schumer said. “Her clients include some of Rochester’s most recognizable institutions including the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Exelis and Eastman Kodak.”

He said Wolford’s practice spans every area of law from criminal proceedings to contract actions and provides her with essential expertise for being a judge.

“Ms. Wolford has been a tireless advocate for her clients, as well as the Rochester community,” Schumer continued. “In addition to serving on countless charitable boards, she has a noteworthy history of pro bono representation. The court on which she may soon sit even awarded her its Special Service Award in recognition of her advocacy in civil rights matters.”

Schumer also mentioned that if confirmed, Wolford would be the first woman on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, something he said is long overdue.

“I’ve always believed in diversity on the bench,” Schumer said. “It’s important that America’s courts reflect the diversity of us as a people … Ms. Wolford has been a powerful and principled community leader for over two decades and I feel confident she’ll excel in her new role.”

Wolford said she wanted to be a federal judge because it is one of the most interesting and challenging positions one could hold in the legal profession and that it also provides “a great opportunity to really give back” to the community and public.

She said respect for the law, parties that appear before the bench and the judicial position are critical for being a federal judge.

“In addition, I think open mindedness and patience are critical to be an effective judge,” Wolford said.

Other family members in attendance included Wolford’s mother Bea; brother John, a retired Air Force pilot; and two nieces and two nephews.

Schumer said the hearing record will remain open for seven days for people to submit additional questions and comments. After that, the committee will decide whether or not to forward Wolford’s nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

Wolford was nominated May 16 by President Barack Obama. She is being considered for a Rochester vacancy created in December when District Judge Charles J. Siragusa was elevated to senior status.

Wolford has successfully represented clients in federal and state courts in a variety of litigation for 20 years, focusing in the areas of commercial and employment litigation.

She is a native of Buffalo who grew up in the Rochester area where she attended Fairport schools. She received her undergraduate degree in 1989 from Colgate University and her juris doctor in 1992 from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Among her many awards, Wolford was most recently honored on June 22 with the New York State Bar Association’s Root/Stimson Award for exemplary community service. In 2003, she was named NYSBA’s Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year and last June, received the Monroe County Bar Association’s President’s Award.

Wolford is a past president of the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar — she successfully led efforts to increase fundraising and created the Jazz for Justice event, which benefits the Rochester Teen Court and the Rochester Diversity Clerkship Program.

She has also volunteered with the Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County for 20 years and serves on its board of directors; and was a board member of Sojourner House, a transitional home for women and children in crisis, for five years.

Other nominees appearing Wednesday were Patricia Ann Millett, to be a U.S. Circuit judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Gregory Woods, U.S. District judge for the Southern District of New York; and Debra M. Brown, U.S. District judge for the Northern District of Mississippi.