Governor Kathy Hochul has announced two appointments to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department. Justice Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald, who is currently serving on the court, has been designated to a five-year term as Associate Justice. Justice Justin Corcoran, a Supreme Court Justice in Albany, has also been appointed to serve on the Appellate Division.
The Third Department of the Appellate Division covers 28 counties in Upstate New York, including areas from the mid-Hudson Valley to the Canadian border and west to Schuyler and Chemung counties in the Southern Tier.
Governor Hochul stated, “New York’s judiciary stands as a pillar of fairness and integrity, and these designees reflect our continued commitment to those values. Their deep legal expertise, sound judgment, and unwavering dedication to fairness will strengthen the Appellate Division and ensure that justice is served for all New Yorkers.”
Justice Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald was born in Binghamton, New York. She graduated from Seton Catholic Central School, earned her undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Washington, DC in 1982, and received her law degree from The Catholic University of America in 1986. She spent her third year of law school at the University of Georgia and began her legal career in Athens, Georgia. After returning to upstate New York in 1990, she practiced civil litigation privately until being elected Supreme Court Justice in 2007. She started serving as a Supreme Court Justice in the 6th Judicial District in 2008, became Administrative Judge for the district in 2016, and was appointed to the Appellate Division in 2019. She was re-elected as a Supreme Court Justice in November 2021, and Governor Hochul redesignated her to the Appellate Division effective January 1, 2022.
Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry commented on Fitzgerald’s appointment: “I know that I can speak for the entire court and staff at the Third Department expressing joy that the strong work and collegiality that Justice Reynolds Fitzgerald consistently demonstrates is being recognized by this appointment. She is a remarkable jurist, who brings a practical approach and careful review to each case. She shines a bright light, and I am happy to applaud her.“
Justice Justin Corcoran was elected Supreme Court Justice in the Third Judicial District in 2019. He has served as the coordinating judge for asbestos litigation and Child Victims Act cases in the district. Corcoran is a graduate of Binghamton University and Albany Law School. He began his legal career in 1995 at O’Connor, O’Connor, Bresee & First, P.C., focusing on civil cases involving medical malpractice, municipal liability, civil rights, and products liability for 22 years. Before his election to the bench, he was a confidential law clerk to Supreme Court Justice L. Michael Mackey. Corcoran has also served as an Albany County Legislator and Chairman of the Albany County Ethics Commission.
Presiding Justice Garry said about Corcoran’s appointment: “I am very grateful that our Governor acted so promptly to appoint Justice Corcoran from the field of qualified candidates, to fill the vacancy arising from the departure of Justice John C. Egan. These two each earned strong support over the course of years of service in the community and on the bench in our region, and are both highly regarded by their peers, making this a highly suitable appointment. We look forward to working with Justice Corcoran as he steps into this new role.“
