Wolford’s confirmation brings WNY bench to full complement

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Rochester attorney Elizabeth A. Wolford has more than a birthday to celebrate next week.

She will also be continuing with preparations to join the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, following her Senate confirmation Thursday by a vote of 70-29.

“It’s an honor and I’m excited to get to work,” Wolford said shortly after the vote. “It’s a real privilege and I’m looking forward to it.”

Wolford and her colleagues at The Wolford Law Firm had gathered around a large screen in the conference room to watch the confirmation proceedings on C-SPAN on a live stream from Washington, D.C.

Wolford, who will turn 47 on Tuesday, is the first woman to join the federal bench in Western New York.

“It’s a great present for her and a great present for the district,” said Chief Judge William M. Skretny. “I think it’s a very positive factor for all of our district.”

He recognized the historical significance of a woman joining the District Court’s bench for the first time, but emphasized Wolford earned the position based on her merits. Wolford will also be the youngest member of the court, which includes 17 counties in Western New York.

“It’s an honor for the district to have a woman on the bench, but it’s all on the basis of merit,” Judge Skretny said. “She is a good fit for the bench.”

Wolford will fill a seat vacated by Judge Charles J. Siragusa who was elevated to senior status a year ago. Judge Skretny said the addition of Wolford not only fills a judicial emergency, but brings the Western District of New York to a full complement of two judges each in Buffalo and Rochester, although there are four semi-retired senior judges whom Judge Skretny said are still handling a significant number of cases.

“I am thrilled to see Buffalo and Rochester’s own Elizabeth Wolford confirmed by the Senate for a seat on the Western District federal court,” said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who recommended Wolford for nomination in February. “For a long time, one of my goals has been to bring a woman to the federal bench in Western New York. Liz will not only do that, but she will also bring her considerable experience and first-rate legal mind to the bench. She is simply one of the finest judicial candidates I have ever met and I am glad to see her ascend to the bench of the Western District.”

Schumer has supported Wolford each step of the way. In opening remarks before the Judiciary Committee during her introduction, he presented the many reasons that she would be an excellent fit for the job. Schumer pointed to Wolford’s stellar legal background, close ties to Western New York and the Rochester region, even-handedness, temperament and demonstrated leadership skills. Schumer also said she is highly capable and very qualified for the position.

“Today’s overwhelming vote demonstrates that members of both parties recognize that Ms. Wolford’s qualifications are exemplary and her experience will serve well the people of the Western District Court,” he said, referring to the Thursday confirmation vote.

Based on Schumer’s recommendation, President Barack Obama nominated Wolford for the judgeship in May. Wolford appeared before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary in July for a hearing. Her nomination was favorably reported to the full Senate on Aug. 1 when it was placed on the Executive Calendar.

“We are delighted and grateful to President Obama for nominating and the U.S. Senate for confirming Elizabeth Wolford to U.S. district court for the Western District of New York,” said Monroe County Bar Association President Diane M. Cecero. “Judge Wolford will bring the best qualities of all great judges: Compassion, fairness, hard work, legal knowledge and a keen sense of justice. She also brings her special perspective as a woman. I join all lawyers in the Western District in offering her our congratulations and support.”

Melanie S. Wolk, president of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys was also thrilled and said it was about time a woman was added to the regional federal bench.

“We could not be more excited,” she said. “It’s such a great day. Liz is going to be a great judge. They could not have selected a better female for the position. She is highly intelligent. She is also a caring person. She will put the work in to be the person that they need on the bench who just happens to also be a female.

“I think she’s also going to bring a new dynamic because she does bring a different perspective as a female and I think it’s something the bench has needed for a long time,” Wolk added.

Wolford is now coordinating with her firm and the court to make the transition. She is expected to join the court late this month or early in January. Plans are also in the works for her official swearing-in ceremony — called an investiture — which Judge Skretny said he will attend.

“I look forward to doing the best job that I can and tackling the challenges ahead,” Wolford said.

Judge Skretny said her confirmation bodes well for having her join the bench very soon.

“We can use as much help as we can get,” he said. “Certainly having Liz Wolford on board will make a substantial difference in terms of what we’re able to do workwise.”

He said the addition of Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. a year ago has helped, but that he hopes Congress will authorize the additional judgeships for the district that have been approved by the Judicial Conference since 1992.

Judge Skretny said the number has varied from one to two judgeships over the years, but the positions still remain vacant.

“We’ve never received appropriations or approval,” he said. “We hope there’s a possibility that Congress will authorize those positions for us sometime in the not-too-distant future.”

Wolford, who was born Dec. 17, 1966, in Buffalo, grew up in the Rochester area and now resides in Honeoye Falls.

She is a partner in The Wolford Law firm along with her father Michael R. Wolford; brother James S. Wolford; and Sarah Merkel. The firm has a total of eight attorneys.

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

She is also an active member of the Rochester-Finger Lakes community and has served on the board of Sojourner House at Pathstone, a transitional home for women in crisis, and on the Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County Inc.

In 2000, she was awarded a Special Service Award by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York for excellence in the vigorous representation of a pro bono client in a civil rights case. In 2003, Wolford was named “Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year” by the New York State Bar Association. Last June, the Monroe County Bar Association presented her with its President’s Award.

Wolford is a proud alumna of the Fairport Central School District, graduated from Colgate University in 1989 and received her law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1992.