Press Releases

Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2009

Presiding Justice Anthony V. Cardona of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, recently announced that two sessions of the Appellate Division will be held at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Monticello on Friday, October 23, 2009. The first session will commence at 10:30 A.M. and the second session will commence at noon. The calendar will consist of oral arguments in a variety of civil and criminal cases. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the sessions.

The five-judge panel at the first Sullivan County session will include Justice Presiding Karen K. Peters, of Ulster County, Justice Edward O. Spain, of Rensselaer County, Justice John A. Lahtinen, of Clinton County, Justice Anthony T. Kane, of Sullivan County, and Justice Bernard J. Malone Jr., of Albany County. The five-judge panel at the second session will include Justice Presiding Robert S. Rose, of Broome County, Justice E. Michael Kavanagh, of Ulster County, Justice Leslie E. Stein, of Albany County, Justice William E. McCarthy of Albany County, and Justice Elizabeth A. Garry, of Chenango County.

Presiding Justice Cardona also announced that the Court sessions will be preceded by a ceremonial session commencing at 10 A.M. to honor Justice Kane, who has announced his retirement from the Court at the end of 2009. The public is also invited and encouraged to attend that ceremonial session.

Justice Kane was elected to the Supreme Court for the Third Judicial District in 1995 and has served as a Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, since 2002. Prior to his election to the Supreme Court, Justice Kane engaged in the private practice of law in Monticello and served as the elected Sullivan County Family Court Judge and then Sullivan County Judge and Surrogate. He is a graduate of Iona College and Cornell Law School.

Presiding Justice Cardona stated that this will be the second time that the Court has heard oral argument on appeals in Sullivan County. The Court last sat in the county on September 15, 2000.

Presiding Justice Cardona also noted that, in addition to Justice Kane, two other Justices of the Court have hailed from Sullivan County. Hon. Sydney F. Foster, of Liberty, served as a Justice of the Appellate Division from 1939 to 1942 and then from 1944 to 1948. Justice Foster served as Presiding Justice from 1949 until 1960 when he was elected to the Court of Appeals. Hon. Lawrence H. Cooke, of Monticello, served as a Justice of the Appellate Division from 1969 to 1974 when he was elected to the Court of Appeals. He was appointed Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals at the end of 1984.

The Presiding Justice stated that since 1995 the Appellate Division has conducted sessions in each of the Third Department’s 28 counties. He noted that the sessions will continue into the future to give the public a further opportunity to observe the appellate process first hand.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2009

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions ("IJEQCs") have been established in each of the judicial districts of New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of candidates, within its respective judicial district, who voluntarily submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District and City. The commissions' role is to determine whether candidates are qualified for the judicial office to which they seek election. Each commission has 15 members appointed by the Chief Judge, the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations. The commissions are comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers and represent a wide cross-section of the communities that they serve.

The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Third Judicial District today announced the following rating for candidates for judicial offices within the Third Judicial District:

Ulster County Court Judge
Deborah S. Schneer - Qualified
Donald A. Williams, Jr. - Qualified

The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Third Judicial District previously announced the following rating for candidates for judicial offices within the Third Judicial District:

New York State Supreme Court Justice for the Third Judicial District
William A. Carter - Not Qualified
James P. Gilpatric - Qualified
Rachel Kretser - Qualified
Peter A. Lynch - Qualified
Gerard E. Maney - Qualified
Stephan Schick - Qualified

Rensselaer County Court Judge
Andrew G. Ceresia - Qualified

Rensselaer County Family Court Judge
Richard A. Hanft - Qualified
Geri Pomerantz - Qualified
Elizabeth M. Walsh - Qualified

For further information regarding the evaluation process, please visit the IJEQC web page at http://nycourts.gov/ad3 and follow the links to the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission or contact Timothy P. O'Keefe, Director, at the address above, by telephone at (518) 285-8571, or by email at tokeefe@courts.state.ny.us.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2009

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions ("IJEQCs") have been established in each of the judicial districts of New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of candidates, within its respective judicial district, who voluntarily submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District and City. The commissions' role is to determine whether candidates are qualified for the judicial office to which they seek election. Each commission has 15 members appointed by the Chief Judge, the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations. The commissions are comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers and represent a wide cross-section of the communities that they serve.

The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Sixth Judicial District today announced the following rating for candidates for judicial office within the Sixth Judicial District:

Oneonta City Court Judge
Michael F. Getman - Qualified

The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Sixth Judicial District previously announced the following rating for candidates for judicial offices within the Sixth Judicial District:

Chemung County/Surrogate's Court Judge
James T. Hayden - Qualified

Chenango County/Family/Surrogate's Court Judge
W. Howard Sullivan - Qualified

Cortland City Court Judge
Thomas A. Meldrim - Qualified

Elmira City Court Judge
Steven W. Forrest - Qualified
Paul A. Sartori - Qualified

Oneonta City Court Judge
Lucy P. Bernier - Qualified

For further information regarding the evaluation process, please visit the IJEQC web page at http://nycourts.gov/ad3 and follow the links to the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission or contact Timothy P. O'Keefe, Esq., Director, at the address above, by telephone at (518) 285-8571, or by email at tokeefe@courts.state.ny.us.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2009

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions ("IJEQCs") have been established in each of the judicial districts of New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of candidates, within its respective judicial district, who voluntarily submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District and City. The commissions' role is to determine whether candidates are qualified for the judicial office to which they seek election. Each commission has 15 members appointed by the Chief Judge, the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations. The commissions are comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers and represent a wide cross-section of the communities that they serve.

In the Fourth Judicial District, which encompasses the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington, the evaluation process included an investigation of each candidate's background and qualifications and each candidate participated in a personal interview with the commission.

The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Fourth Judicial District today announced the following rating for candidates for judicial office within the Fourth Judicial District:

Justice of the Supreme Court
Ann C. Crowell - Qualified
Barry D. Kramer - Qualified
Timothy J. Lawliss - Qualified
Richard B. Meyer - Qualified
E. Guy Roemer - Qualified
Brian S. Stewart - Qualified

The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Fourth Judicial District previously announced the following rating for candidates for judicial offices within the Fourth Judicial District:

Justice of the Supreme Court
Thomas E. Mercure - Qualified

Clinton County Court Judge
Patrick R. McGill - Qualified

Fulton County Family Court Judge
Edward F. Skoda - Qualified

Hamilton County/Family/Surrogate's Court Judge
S. Peter Feldstein - Qualified

Warren County Family Court Judge
J. Timothy Breen - Qualified

For further information regarding the evaluation process, please visit the IJEQC Web page at http://nycourts.gov/ad3 and follow the links to the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission or contact Timothy P. O'Keefe, Esq., Director, at the address above, by telephone at (518) 285-8571, or by email at tokeefe@courts.state.ny.us

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2009

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions ("IJEQCs") have been established in each of the judicial districts of New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of candidates, within its respective judicial district, who voluntarily submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District and City. The commissions' role is to determine whether candidates are qualified for the judicial office to which they seek election. Each commission has 15 members appointed by the Chief Judge, the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations. The commissions are comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers and represent a wide cross-section of the communities that they serve.

In the Third Judicial District, which encompasses the counties of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster, the evaluation process included an investigation of each candidate's background and qualifications and each candidate participated in a personal interview with the Commission. The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Third Judicial District recently announced the following rating for candidates for judicial offices within the Third Judicial District:

Rensselaer County Court Judge
Andrew G. Ceresia - Qualified

Rensselaer County Family Court Judge
Richard A. Hanft - Qualified
Geri Pomerantz - Qualified
Elizabeth M. Walsh - Qualified

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2009

Presiding Justice Anthony V. Cardona of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, is pleased to announce the appointment of the following attorneys to the Committee on Character and Fitness for the Third Judicial District.

Brendan F. Baynes, Esq., Ravena, Albany County: Mr. Baynes is the founder of The Baynes Law Firm, P.C., in Ravena. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1987 and is a graduate of Albany Law School.

Bruce A. Bell, Esq., Albany County: Mr. Bell is a partner with Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto LLP in Albany. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1982 and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Law School.

Jean K. Cleary, Esq., Delmar, Albany County: Ms. Cleary is managing attorney for the New York State Department of Public Service. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1971 and is a graduate of Albany Law School.

Peter J. Corrigan, Esq., Rensselaer, Rensselaer County: Mr. Corrigan is a partner with Corrigan, McCoy & Bush, PLLC, in Rensselaer. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1975 and is a graduate of Albany Law School.

Louise E. Dunn, Esq., Albany County: Ms. Dunn is an attorney with the Law Offices of Mary A. Bjork, Esq., in Albany. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1984 and is a graduate of the University of Richmond Law School in Virginia.

Christine L. Kenefick, Esq., Slingerlands, Albany County: Ms. Kenefick maintains an office for the practice of law in Slingerlands. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1994 and is a graduate of Albany Law School.

Denise J. Kerrigan, Esq., Cornwallville, Greene County: Ms. Kerrigan maintains an office for the practice of law in Cornwallville. Ms. Kerrigan was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1989 and is a graduate of Albany Law School.

Michael J. O'Connor, Esq., Albany County: Mr. O'Connor is a partner with O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee, and First, PC in Albany. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1978 and is a graduate of Western New England Law School.

James T. Potter, Esq., Albany County: Mr. Potter is a partner with Hinman Straub PC in Albany. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1981 and is a graduate of Albany Law School.

Melissa J. Smallacombe, Esq., Albany County: Ms. Smallacombe is a partner with Ryan & Smallacombe, PLLC, in Albany. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1985 and is a graduate of Albany Law School.

The Committee on Character and Fitness is charged with the responsibility of investigating and making recommendations to the Court regarding the character and fitness of applicants for admission to the New York State Bar. Its members are appointed for five year terms. All members of the Committee serve without compensation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2009

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions ("IJEQCs") have been established in each of the judicial districts of New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of candidates, within its respective judicial district, who voluntarily submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District and City. The commissions' role is to determine whether candidates are qualified for the judicial office to which they seek election. Each commission has 15 members appointed by the Chief Judge, the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations. The commissions are comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers and represent a wide cross-section of the communities that they serve.

Justice of the Supreme Court
Thomas E. Mercure - Qualified

Clinton County Court Judge
Patrick R. McGill - Qualified

Fulton County Family Court Judge
Edward F. Skoda - Qualified

Hamilton County/Family/Surrogate's Court Judge
S. Peter Feldstein - Qualified

Warren County Family Court Judge
J. Timothy Breen - Qualified

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2009

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions ("IJEQCs") have been established in each of the judicial districts of New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of candidates, within its respective judicial district, who voluntarily submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District and City. The commissions' role is to determine whether candidates are qualified for the judicial office to which they seek election. Each commission has 15 members appointed by the Chief Judge, the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations. The commissions are comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers and represent a wide cross-section of the communities that they serve.

In the Sixth Judicial District, which encompasses the counties of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins, the evaluation process included an investigation of the candidate's background and qualifications and the candidate participated in a personal interview with the Commission. The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Sixth Judicial District recently announced the following rating for candidates for judicial offices within the Sixth Judicial District:

Chemung County/Surrogate's Court Judge
James T. Hayden - Qualified

Chenango County/Family/Surrogate's Court Judge
W. Howard Sullivan - Qualified

Cortland City Court Judge
Thomas A. Meldrim - Qualified

Elmira City Court Judge
Steven W. Forrest - Qualified
Paul A. Sartori - Qualified

Oneonta City Court Judge
Lucy P. Bernier - Qualified

For further information regarding the evaluation process, please visit the IJEQC web page at http://nycourts.gov/ad3 and follow the links to the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission or contact Timothy P. O'Keefe, Esq., Director, at the address above, by telephone at (518) 285-8571, or by email at tokeefe@courts.state.ny.us.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2009

Hon. Anthony V. Cardona, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, announced today that approximately 450 people will be sworn in as newly-admitted members of the New York Bar by the Court at a ceremony at noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, New York.

The members of the Court presiding at the ceremony will include Hon. Edward O. Spain, Justice Presiding, Hon. Bernard J. Malone, Jr., Hon. Leslie E. Stein, Hon. William E. McCarthy, and Hon. Elizabeth A. Garry.

Presiding Justice Cardona is very pleased to announce that Justice Stein will address the new attorneys and that Justice Malone will administer the Constitutional oath of office to the applicants.

All of the new attorneys passed the New York State Bar examination or have satisfied the motion admission requirements and will have been approved for admission by the Third Department's Committees on Character and Fitness.

Applicants from at least 33 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 25 foreign countries will be admitted. Foreign countries represented include Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The Third Department is responsible for the admission of out-of-State applicants and applicants from other countries.

The ceremony on June 23 is open to the public and all are invited to attend. For further information, please contact Michael J. Novack, the Clerk of the Court (471-4777) or Daniel C. Brennan of the Admissions Office (471-4734).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2009

Presiding Justice Anthony V. Cardona, of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, recently announced that a regular session of the Appellate Division will be held in Otsego County. The Court will sit at the Otsego County Courthouse in Cooperstown on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, commencing at 10:00 A.M. The calendar will consist of oral arguments in a variety of civil and criminal cases.

In addition to Presiding Justice Cardona, the five-judge panel at the Court's session will include Justice Edward O. Spain, of Rensselaer County, Justice Robert S. Rose, of Broome County, Justice Anthony T. Kane, of Sullivan County, and Justice Elizabeth A. Garry, of Chenango County.

Presiding Justice Cardona noted that this will be the second time that the Court has heard oral arguments on appeals in Otsego County, having first sat there in 1998.

Presiding Justice Cardona also noted that Hon. Samuel Chase, Justice of the United States Supreme Court, called Cooperstown home after 1825.

The Presiding Justice stated that since 1995 the Appellate Division has conducted sessions throughout the Third Department's 28 counties and periodically at Albany Law School and Cornell Law School. He noted that the sessions will continue into the future to give the public a further opportunity to observe the appellate process first hand.

For further information, please contact Michael J. Novack, the Clerk of the Court (518-471-4777).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2009

Presiding Justice Anthony V. Cardona, of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, recently announced that a regular session of the Appellate Division will be held in Schenectady County. The Court will hear oral arguments in a variety of civil and criminal cases at the Schenectady County Courthouse on Thursday, May 28, 2009, commencing at 10:00 A.M.

In addition to Presiding Justice Cardona, the five-judge panel at the Court's session will include Justice Thomas E. Mercure, of Washington County, Justice John A. Lahtinen, of Clinton County, Justice Bernard J. Malone Jr., of Albany County, and Justice Leslie E. Stein, of Albany County.

Presiding Justice Cardona noted that the Court will be especially pleased to hold court in Schenectady County in 2009, when that county will be observing its bicentennial year. He further stated that this will be the second time in the Court's history that it has held a Court session in Schenectady County, having sat there for the first time in 1999.

Presiding Justice Cardona also noted that several prior Associate Justices of the Court have hailed from Schenectady County. Hon. Judson S. Landon served from 1896 to 1899 and was a member of the Appellate Division, Third Department's first court; Hon. Edward C. Whitmeyer served from 1927 to 1931; and Hon. Howard A. Levine served from 1982 to 1993 when he was appointed to the Court of Appeals.

For further information, please contact Michael J. Novack, the Clerk of the Court (518-471-4777).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2009

Hon. Anthony V. Cardona, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, announced today that approximately 760 people are scheduled to be sworn in as newly-admitted members of the New York State Bar by the Court at a ceremony at noon on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, New York. In addition to Presiding Justice Cardona, the members of the Court presiding at the ceremony will include Hon. Thomas E. Mercure, Hon. Karen K. Peters, Hon. Anthony T. Kane, and Hon. Leslie E. Stein.

Presiding Justice Cardona stated that the Court is very pleased that Hon. John R. Dunne, Chair, New York State Judicial Screening Committee, Third Judicial Department, will be in attendance and will address the new attorneys.

Justice Mercure will administer the Constitutional oath of office to the applicants.

All of the new attorneys who will be sworn in on January 22 have passed the New York State Bar examination or have satisfied the motion admission requirements and will have been approved for admission by the Third Department’s Committees on Character and Fitness.

Applicants from at least 33 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 24 foreign countries will be admitted. Foreign countries represented include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The Third Department is responsible for the admission of out-of-State applicants and applicants from other countries.

The ceremony on January 22 is open to the public and all are invited and encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact Michael J. Novack, the Clerk of the Court (471-4777) or Daniel C. Brennan of the Admissions Office (471-4734).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2008

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions ("IJEQCs") have been established in each of the judicial districts of New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of candidates, within its respective judicial district, who voluntarily submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District and City. The commissions' role is to determine whether candidates are qualified for the judicial office to which they seek election. Each commission has 15 members appointed by the Chief Judge, the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations. The commissions are comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers and represent a wide cross-section of the communities that they serve.

In the Third Judicial District, which encompasses the counties of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster, the evaluation process included an investigation of each candidate's background and qualifications and each candidate participated in a personal interview with the commission. The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Third Judicial District today announced the following rating for a candidate for judicial office within the Third Judicial District:

New York State Supreme Court Justice for the Third Judicial District
Patrick J. McGrath - Qualified

New York State Supreme Court Justice for the Third Judicial District
Anthony J. Carpinello - Qualified
Mitchell S. Kessler - Qualified

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