Governor Kathy Hochul has announced two appointments to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department. Justice Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald has been designated to a five-year term as Associate Justice, and Justice Justin Corcoran, currently serving as a Supreme Court Justice in Albany, will join the Appellate Division.
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.”
The Third Department covers 28 counties in Upstate New York, extending from the mid-Hudson Valley to the Canadian border and west to Schuyler and Chemung counties.
Justice Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald was born in Binghamton, New York. She completed her undergraduate studies at Trinity College in Washington, DC, in 1982 and earned 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. Returning to upstate New York in 1990, she worked in private practice with a focus on civil litigation until her election as Supreme Court Justice in 2007. She began serving as a Supreme Court Justice for the 6th Judicial District in 2008. In 2016, she was named Administrative Judge for the district, remaining in that role until her appointment to the Appellate Division in 2019. She was re-elected to the Supreme Court 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 to the Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District in 2019. He has served as coordinating judge for asbestos litigation and Child Victims Act cases within the district. Corcoran graduated from 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 litigation involving medical malpractice, municipal liability, civil rights, and products liability for over two decades. Before his election to the bench, he worked as 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 also remarked on 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.“
