Cuomo Names Two Judges to WC Appeals Court

Thursday, November 7, 2019 | 0

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has appointed five judges to the state's appellate court system, including two named to the department that handles workers' compensation appeals.

Known as the 3rd Department of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, the Albany-based department hears cases on appeal from the Workers' Compensation Board. From there, some cases can be appealed to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals.

Cuomo's office announced this week that he had named John Colangelo, now a Supreme Court justice, and Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald, an administrative judge, to the department.

"These appointees represent some of the best and brightest legal minds in the Empire State, displaying exceptional integrity, temperament and commitment to public service," Cuomo said in a statement. "I am proud to appoint these judges to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court and am confident they will do a great (job) as stewards of New York's judicial system."

Before he was elected to the Supreme Court in 2013, Colangelo was a judge in Westchester County and a city court judge in New Rochelle. Before that, he was in private practice. He earned his bachelor's degree from Brown University and his law degree from New York University.

Colangelo does not appear to have extensive experience in workers' comp law, but he has written articles on construction law, according to the New York Law Journal.

Fitzgerald was elected to the state Supreme Court in 2007 and has been an administrative judge in the 6th Judicial District since 2016. Before that, she was a partner at Smyk & Fitzgerald in Binghamton.

She earned her bachelor's from Trinity College and her law degree from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

The judges were recommended by the state's Judicial Screening Committee. The appointments are not subject to confirmation by the state Senate.