Janet DiFiore – A Lawyer in Westchester County, New York

Janet Marie DiFiore, a US lawyer. American-born, Janet Marie DiFiore was raised in Mount Vernon. St. John’s University School of Law gave her a degree as a lawyer. As a judge she served from 2016-2022 as Chief Judge of New York Court of Appeals.

Westchester County: Life

Westchester County could be a great place to call home if you’re looking for a slower pace and pristine surroundings. There are beautiful parks as well bustling towns and small villages.

Its origins date back to 1683. At that time, Westchester was home to Native Americans of the Lenape tribe. They lived in tree bark wigwams.

The county had nearly 100,000 people by the middle of the 19th century. New transportation routes emerged as the economy expanded. These included the Hudson River Railroad and the New York and New Haven Railroad. This helped Westchester become accessible to middle-class city workers.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Westchester became a haven for commuters. Many of the wealthy merchants and tradesmen who worked in New York City traveled to Westchester.

Large corporations recognized the potential of the region in the 1960s and 1950s. Many of them have roots in Westchester. Some of them were insurance and software companies.

After World War II, the baby boom brought a new influx of young working families to the area. Many of them settled in the southern part of the county.

Westchester has a reputation for high quality life. There are many entertainment options, excellent schools and beautiful parks for residents. The county offers excellent hiking and kayaking trails.

Career as a judge

Janet DiFiore, the Chief Judge of New York’s Court of Appeals has led the judiciary of the state through a turbulent time. She was appointed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo in late 2015 and was confirmed by the Senate in February 2016. Six years after serving on the bench she declared her intention to retire in August.

DiFiore served as the chief judge and was also responsible for seven of its members. In her tenure, the court’s unified system underwent significant changes. A program to overhaul case management was one of them. This reform broadened civil legal services to serve the smaller populations.

DiFiore led the court system in the COVID-19 crisis, which necessitated virtual court proceedings, during her term. While her actions were criticized by some, Brad Hoylman of the New York State Bar Association and Brad Hoylman of the state senator praised them.

DiFiore led the court system in the aftermath of the pandemic. He was also head the justice task force that examines wrong convictions. New York’s Excellence Initiative also includes the Justice Task Force, which was created to reform and evaluate the whole system.

DiFiore joined three other judges during her term in redistricting. The case found that Democrats had unconstitutionally-gerrymandered congressional districts. The decision helped overturn Congressional districts in the state.

Notable incidents

Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge has served in court for over two decades. In that time she has presided over civil and criminal cases in the court system that spans both New York City and Westchester County. A bachelor’s degree is from St. John’s University, and a master’s from New York University School of Law. The chief judge also holds a seat on the New York State Juvenile Justice Commission. A side note: She served as a Westchester County prosecutor from 2006 through 2016, becoming the first woman to hold that office.

She was responsible for several notable events. Her first was to resist the tendencies of the far right to exterminate conservative ideas. DiFiore, in addition to being a lawyer was also the co-chairperson of the New York Justice Task Force. As such, DiFiore was the public face for juvenile justice. Another notable incident happened when she refused to comply with a court order to re-open a case involving four aging judges.

Her title as chief judge of Court of Appeals was held by her for six years. She also served as the chairwoman of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, the state’s most prestigious ethical governing body.