Gov. Hochul taps ex-prosecutor Hector LaSalle to be chief judge of New York’s top court
Gov. Kathy Hochul has nominated former Long Island prosecutor Hector LaSalle to be the next chief judge of New York State’s top court — angering the political left that opposes the pick.
LaSalle would become the first Latino judge to head the state Court of Appeals.
He’s currently the presiding judge in the state Supreme Court’s Second Department in Brooklyn, the largest appellate court in the nation.
LaSalle served as an assistant district attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office from 1993-98 and from 2002-08, when he was deputy bureau chief of the Special Investigation Bureau and head of the anti-gun unit.
“This is potentially good news. Having a person with a law enforcement background could benefit New York,” said .
A diverse group of elected officials, prosecutors and civil rights advocates expressed support for LaSalle’s nomination in a list of statements provided by the governor’s office including from: state Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), Al Sharpton of the National Action Network, the Long Island chapter of the NAACP, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonazelz, Queens DA Melinda Katz, and Staten Island DA Michael McMahon; and six congressional Reps. — Jerrold Nadler, Nydia Velazquez, Greg Meeks, Yvette Clarke, Ritchie Torres and Adriano Espaillat.
Leftist criminal justice advocates, however, opposed the naming of another judge with a prosecutorial background as chief judge — as former Gov. Andrew Cuomo did when he selected ex-Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore as chief judge.
But Hochul, who has come under fire for not doing enough to combat crime and fix the controversial cashless bail law, said LaSalle is the right fit, arguing he’s a “consensus builder.”
“New York’s Court of Appeals has a long history as a beacon of justice, and Judge LaSalle is an outstanding jurist in that tradition. He has the skills, experience, and intellect to ensure that our highest court is seen as a leader across the country,” the governor said.
“Judge LaSalle has a sterling reputation as a consensus-builder, and I know he can unite the court in the service of justice. He has effectively led the largest state appellate court in the country… I know he will be focused on expanding access to justice for New Yorkers. Our state courts are more important now than ever when it comes to protecting our rights and upholding New York values, and I know that Judge LaSalle will lead the court in doing just that.”
His nomination has to be confirmed by the Democratic-run state Senate.
In addition, Hochul announced LaSalle’s intention to appoint Edwina Richardson-Mendelson as chief administrative judge, who oversees the day-to-day operation of the statewide court system.
Richardson-Mendelson, who is black, is currently the deputy chief administrative judge and sitting judge on the Court of Claims. She also was on the list of judges Hochul was considering to be chief judge.
“I am humbled by Governor Hochul’s nomination, and I thank her for this tremendous honor. I am committed to leading the Court with integrity and fairness, upholding justice, and protecting the rights of New Yorkers,” LaSalle said.
In between his years at the Suffolk DA’s office, LaSalle worked as an associate at the law firm Ruskin Moscou Faltischek. He also served as a state assistant attorney general from 1999 to 2002.
LaSalle got his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1990 and earned his law degree at University of Michigan Law School in 1993. He’s a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Suffolk County Bar Association, the NYS Latino Judges Association and the Puerto Rico Bar Association.
Critics groused LaSalle is too conservative to head the state’s highest court.
“I am deeply disappointed to learn Gov. Hochul has nominated Hector LaSalle, a fellow Long Islander who has not been cognizant of the needs of those impacted by incarceration, to serve as the Chief Justice of New York’s highest court,” said Serena Martin-Liguori, executive director of New Hour for Women and Children.
She claimed LaSalle prevented probes into “fake” crisis pregnancy centers that advise young women not to seek abortions.
“LaSalle is a native of Brentwood, New York — the community in which we are based in and which we serve. Let me be clear — LaSalle will harm our community and countless others throughout New York,” Martin-Liguori said.
“We are calling on the New York State Senate to reject this nomination. This decision will shape New York’s future. While we hope Gov. Hochul will make the right decision and withdraw this nomination, the State Senate must be prepared to reject an unfit nominee from serving in this position of honor.”
LaSalle also is facing resistance from New York’s powerful labor movement, over what it views as a controversial anti-union ruling he co-signed as an appellate judge.
“The nomination for Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals is troubling. New York needs a Chief Judge that supports workers and their unions,” Mario Cilento, president of the state AFL-CIO .
“Justice Hector LaSalle has unfortunately shown a willingness to put the interests of corporations ahead of workers which is disturbing in a state with a long history of supporting workers’ rights.”
Union sources pointed to a decision where LaSalle voted to allow Cablevision, now known as Optimum, to pursue a defamation suit against union leaders as individuals, so protection typically provided to labor officers in their official capacity wouldn’t apply.
