Contact: Darren Johnson, (631) 761-7062

April 6, 2007

Touro Law Center Hosts “Women in the Law,”
Featuring NYS Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye

Central Islip, N.Y. – Touro Law Center and its Journal of Race, Gender, and Ethnicity will hold a very special symposium, “Women in the Law,” featuring the Chief Judge of the State of New York, Hon. Judith S. Kaye, and two very impressive panels of legal experts.

The event takes place on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at the NEW Touro Law Center on 225 Eastview Drive in Central Islip starting with a panel discussion, “Women as Members of the New York Bench and Bar,” at 3:00 p.m., followed by a reception at 4:30 p.m. and Judge Kaye’s keynote address and panel discussion, “Women in the Judiciary,” at 5:30 p.m.

Reservations are not necessary, but more information may be obtained by calling 631-761-7138. Food and refreshments will be served.

Speakers: Hon. Margaret Chan, Civil Court of the City of New

 York, Kings County; Hon. Fern Fisher, Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York; Beryl Jones, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Brooklyn Law School; Eileen Kaufman, Professor of Law, Touro Law Center; Hon. Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge of the State of New York; Hon. Leon Lazer, Professor of Law, Touro Law Center and Former Associate Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department; Craig Purcell, Partner, Glynn Mercep & Purcell L.L.P., and Chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association’s Judicial Screening Committee; Lois Carter Schlissel, Managing Partner of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.; and Hon. Mary Werner, former New York State Supreme Court Justice, Suffolk County, and former Administrative Judge of Suffolk County.

Chief Judge Kaye was born in Monticello, New York, in 1938. She was appointed by Governor Mario M. Cuomo on February 22, 1993, confirmed by the State Senate on March 17, and sworn in on March 23, 1993. She is the first woman to occupy the State Judiciary's highest office. She became the first woman to serve on New York State's highest court when Governor Cuomo appointed her Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals on September 12, 1983.

Her current posts also include Chair of the Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children; Founding Member and Honorary Chair, Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA); Member of the Board of Editors, New York State Bar Journal; and Trustee, The William Nelson Cromwell Foundation. She served as President of the Conference of Chief Justices and Chair of the Board of Directors, National Center for State Courts (2002-03). She is the author of numerous publications – particularly articles dealing with legal process, state constitutional law, women in law, professional ethics and problem-solving courts – as well as the recipient of many awards and several honorary degrees.

Chief Judge Kaye’s husband (attorney Stephen Rackow Kaye) died October 30, 2006. They have three children.

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