LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Honorable Jonathan Lippman upon
the occasion of his retirement as Chief Judge of the New York Court of
Appeals after many years of dedicated service

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those singular individuals who devote their purposeful lives
and careers to preserving the rights and protecting the welfare of the
citizens of their community and the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the State of New York
has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless dedi-
cation and benevolent concern of Judge Jonathan Lippman; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Honor-
able Jonathan Lippman upon the occasion of his retirement as Chief Judge
of the New York Court of Appeals after many years of dedicated service;
this momentous occasion was celebrated on Monday, October 26, 2015, at
the Brooklyn Museum; and
WHEREAS, A native of Manhattan, Jonathan Lippman graduated from New
York University (NYU) in 1965, and received his law degree from the New
York University School of Law in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious 48 year career, Judge Jonathan
Lippman has served in several capacities; in 1989, he became the deputy
chief administrator for management support of the New York State court
system, and in 1995, he was appointed as judge of the New York Court of
Claims; one year later he became New York's chief administrative judge,
serving for 11 years, the longest anyone has spent in that position; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Judge Jonathan Lippman was elected to the New York
State Supreme Court for a 14 year term, and in May of 2007, then-Gover-
nor Eliot Spitzer appointed him to the Appellate Division of the Supreme
Court, First Judicial Department; and
WHEREAS, On January 13, 2009, Governor David Paterson appointed Jona-
than Lippman to the position of Chief Judge of the New York Court of
Appeals, the esteemed position from which he officially retired on
December 31, 2015; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has been a
steadfast advocate for increased attention to civil legal services and
raising the age of adult criminal responsibility; in addition to creat-
ing the Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York,
he has increased funding to civil legal services, and enacted mandatory
pro bono requirements for law students; and
WHEREAS, Throughout a life and career of purposeful endeavor, Judge
Jonathan Lippman has remained true to his commitment, serving family,
faith and community, as well as the law; his contributions and accom-
plishments have brought great benefit and positive influence to bear
upon the course of jurisprudence and the quality of life for others; and
WHEREAS, Firm in his commitment, Judge Jonathan Lippman has remained
dedicated to the betterment and progress of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Respected by both attorneys and defendants alike, Judge Jona-
than Lippman always conducted an impartial and objective court; he
treated all defendants with compassion and dignity while at the same
time remaining fair in his rulings; and
WHEREAS, Judge Jonathan Lippman, in every capacity in which he served,
has left his permanent mark on the criminal justice community and will
forever be remembered as a determined, innovative and genuinely
concerned expert in his field; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable Jonathan Lippman upon the occasion of his retire-
ment as Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals after many years of

dedicated service, and to extend its sincere gratitude for his continued
contributions to the people of New York State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Jonathan Lippman.