| NEWSLETTER |  |
SPRING 2021 |
In MemoriAm |
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Hon. Paul G. Feinman The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission mourns the passing of former New York State Court of Appeals Judge Paul G. Feinman. On March 31, 2021, Judge Feinman passed away. Judge Feinman joined the Court of Appeals in 2017 and was hailed as a champion of LGBTQ rights and as a trailblazer for LGBTQ lawyers and judges. Before serving on the Court of Appeals, Judge Feinman was appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department, in 2012 and had been elected to State Supreme Court in 2007. He had been elected in 1996 to the New York City Civil Court. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School and worked as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County early in his career. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his husband and family. |
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Hon. Marquette L. Floyd Retired Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Marquette L. Floyd, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2020, recently celebrating his 93rd birthday. Back in 2008, when Justice Floyd was being was being interviewed by SCBA past president John L. Buonora for our Centennial Celebration, John asked how he would like to be remembered. After pondering on the question for a moment or two, he looked up and said “as a person who persevered, was focused, and was fair.” Justice Marquette graduated law school and was admitted to the Bar in 1960, and over the years he would get active in civil and political affairs. In 1969, was sworn in as Suffolk County District Court Judge. He was the first African-American District Court Judge elected and serving the citizens of Suffolk County for 19 years, becoming its most senior judge. He was also the first African-American Justice elected to the Supreme Court Bench in 1989, serving until his retirement in 2002. He also served as Presiding Justice of the Appellate Term for the 10th Judicial District from 2001-2002. Among his many accomplishments, he was elected a member of the SCBA’s Board of Directors, serving from 1986 – 1989. He always said he was proud of his membership in the Suffolk County Bar Association and that he would be celebrating his 50th anniversary as a member in 2011. Justice Floyd was appointed to the New York State Bar Association’s House of Delegates, where he served with distinction. His many contributions to his community are chronicled in Who’s Who in Black America. Up until his passing, he remained committed to the advancement of people of color. One of his quips when he was elected to the Supreme Court Bench, he said “my success is a victory for everyone because if you work hard and achieve, that’s part of the American Way.” Finally, Suffolk Judges and lawyers (including his dear friend, Vinnie Berger) on Friday, March 9, 2012, honored the county’s first black judge, a trailblazer for sure, at a portrait unveiling at the Cohalan Court Complex. |
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Hon. Ruben Martino The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission mourns the passing of Judge Ruben Martino. On December 11, 2020, Judge Martino passed away. He was the Supervising Judge of the Bronx Family Court. Judge Martino was a Housing Court Judge from 1994 until 2003. He was appointed to the Family Court in 2003 and reappointed in 2012. He served as the presiding justice of the Harlem Community Justice Center from 2004 to 2014. Judge Martino was a graduate of Bronx High School of Science, Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife and family. |
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