The Late Judge
Judith Kaye
Former Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New York
The late Judge Judith Kaye served as the first woman judge, and then Chief Judge, of New York State’s highest court. On the Court of Appeals, she not only gained a national reputation for groundbreaking decisions but also instituted reforms across the court system, including specialized domestic violence courts. After joining the firm of Skadden Arps, her “passion project” focused on adolescents—keeping them in school and out of court, leading healthy, constructive lives. Judge Kaye died on January 7, 2016, at the age of 77.
“Having spent more than half a century in the law, I have seen firsthand the progress of our concept and system of justice, particularly in the area of gender bias and gender abuse. May commitment to equal dignity and equal opportunity, and an end to gender violence and exploitation, continue to define our nation and our world.”