Governor Kathy Hochul has announced six new designations to the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division. These appointments include four justices to the First Department and two to the Second Department. Under the state constitution, the governor selects Appellate Division justices from among those elected to the State Supreme Court.
“These designations to the Appellate Division are part of my continued commitment to building a judiciary that embodies the highest standards of legal excellence and reflects the rich diversity of New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Each of these jurists brings a wealth of experience and perspective that will strengthen our courts and help ensure that justice is served fairly and equitably across our state.”
The newly designated justices for the Appellate Division, First Department, are Honorable Troy Webber, Honorable Saliann Scarpulla, Honorable Shlomo Hagler, and Honorable Margaret Anne Pui Yee Chan.
Justice Troy K. Webber began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County before holding several roles including Law Assistant to a State Supreme Court Justice and Deputy Bureau Chief at the New York City Law Department. She was first elected to Civil Court in 1993 and later appointed Acting Surrogate in New York County. Since 2016, she has served on the Appellate Division, First Department. Justice Webber also participates in educational programs for underserved students and mentors law students.
Justice Saliann Scarpulla graduated from Boston University and Brooklyn Law School before clerking for Judge Alvin F. Klein. Her career includes time as Senior Counsel at FDIC and Bank Counsel at Hudson United Bank. Elected to Civil Court in 2001, she joined Supreme Court in 2009, focusing on commercial cases until her appointment to the Appellate Division in 2020. She contributes frequently as an author and lecturer on legal topics.
Honorable Shlomo Hagler currently serves as Presiding Justice of the Appellate Term, First Department. He began his judicial service with Housing Court in 1999 before moving through various positions including Acting Justice at Supreme Court’s Civil Branch where he created an “Innovative Guardianship Part” for vulnerable individuals. He is recognized by several legal organizations for his contributions over more than two decades on the bench.
Justice Margaret Anne Pui Yee Chan was elected to Supreme Court in 2021 after serving as an Acting Justice since 2012 handling complex litigation matters. An immigrant from Hong Kong who settled in Brooklyn as a teenager, she became Manhattan’s first Asian immigrant woman judge when elected to Civil Court in 2006.
For the Second Department appointments, Honorable Elena Goldberg Velazquez joins after serving on both Yonkers City Court and Westchester County’s Supreme Court bench since her election there in 2022. She is active within local bar associations and community organizations.
Honorable Susan Quirk was first elected as a Civil Court judge in Brooklyn before assignments at Family Court related to “Raise The Age” legislation implementation; she now presides over criminal matters at Brooklyn’s Supreme Court following her election there in 2022.
The new appointees have backgrounds ranging from public service roles such as assistant district attorneys or court attorneys to leadership positions within bar associations or community groups across New York State.
