ALBANY - The New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers President James Reid, advised Governor Andrew Cuomo of the Academy’s ratings for the seven nominees under consideration for associate judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. 

To assist with the appointment process, the Academy’s 15-member Judicial Screening Committee reviewed each nominee's background and evaluated their decisions and/or writings. The Committee then conducted personal interviews with each nominee in Albany on March 18, 2013.

In evaluating the nominees, the Academy’s Judicial Screening Committee considered: judicial temperament; legal ability and experience; legal writing ability; general reputation, character and fitness; industriousness, diligence and promptness; and impartiality, freedom from bias and prejudice. The Committee also invited all of the more than 2,000 members of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers to provide the Committee with input regarding the qualifications of the nominees and considered all relevant information that was submitted by those members. 

Based on those evaluations, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers has rated the nominees as follows:

• Hon. Sheila Abdus-Salaam - Highly Qualified
• Hon. Eugene M. Fahey  - Highly Qualified
• Hon. John M. Leventhal - Highly Qualified
• Hon. Dianne T. Renwick - Highly Qualified
• David A. Schulz, Esq. - Highly Qualified
• Maria T. Vullo, Esq. - Highly Qualified
• Rowan D. Wilson, Esq. - Highly Qualified