Westchester DA Janet DiFiore Confirmed As NY's Chief Judge

The New York State Senate approved longtime Westchester County prosecutor Janet DiFiore as New York’s chief judge Thursday.

DiFiore was confirmed in a vote with no opposition. Her official title is now chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals. She will replace Judge Jonathan Lippman, who retired, as presiding judge of the seven-member state Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals is New York’s highest court.

DiFiore has served as Westchester County District Attorney since 2006. She also served previously as a State Supreme Court justice. 

DiFiore was nominated for the position by Governor Andrew Cuomo on December 1. 

“Janet DiFiore is tremendously qualified to serve as Chief Judge of the State Court of Appeals,” Cuomo said at the time. “She has served as both judge and prosecutor, and has spent her career working to ensure justice and fairness for New Yorkers.” 

Veteran prosecutor James McCarty takes over as Westchester County District Attorney. McCarty prosecuted the ‘Fatal Attraction’ murder case and serial killer Patrick Baxter. As The Journal News reports, McCarty will remain in the position through January—when the winner of the November election takes over—unless Cuomo appoints an interim successor.