LeGaL Congratulates Judge Cannataro on His Confirmation to the New York Court of Appeals

The LGBT Bar Association of New York (LeGaL) congratulates the Hon. Anthony Cannataro on his confirmation yesterday to sit as Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, our state’s highest court. Judge Cannataro becomes the second openly LGBTQ+ judge of the New York Court of Appeals in its 170-year history.

Since March 31, 2021, the LGBTQ+ legal community has been deeply affected by the loss of our dear friend, Judge Paul Feinman. Judge Feinman previously served as a President of LeGaL and shared our mission of advancing LGBTQ+ excellence in and through the legal profession.

With the confirmation of Judge Cannataro, the Court will once again have a member who has a deep commitment to, strong relationship with, and empathic understanding of the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

As the Administrative Judge of the New York City Civil Court, Judge Cannataro brings a unique perspective on the challenges of administering a vast and often burdened court system. Judge Cannataro is one of the original Commissioners of the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission of the New York Courts. In this capacity, Judge Cannataro has presided over an education program to ensure that transgender litigants, among others, are treated with respect and dignity in their interactions with the courts. Judge Cannataro communicates regularly with LeGaL representatives, attends its events, and is viewed as a mentor and role model by many of our members.

As one of the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ bar associations in the nation, LeGaL has always worked to advance justice and equality for all. Judge Cannataro is an exemplary representative of the LGBTQ+ legal community, which, together with the greater LGBTQ+ population, LeGaL strives to serve. We wish him all the best as he begins his term on the Court of Appeals.