New York County Lawyers Association Applauds Gov. Hochul’s Appointment of Seth Marnin to the Court of Claims

The New York County Lawyers Association applauds Governor Hochul’s appointment of Seth Marnin to the Court of Claims. Seth Marnin will be the first openly transgender man to serve as a judge in our state and (to the best of our knowledge) in the nation. He currently serves as Columbia University’s Director of Training and Education, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action, and is a former employment discrimination attorney and Vice President for Civil Rights at the Anti-Defamation League. NYCLA recognizes this historic nomination, the important diversity of perspectives Marnin brings to the judiciary, and, importantly, the message that his nomination sends to transgender people. In Marnin’s own words: “It was not so long ago that a trans person becoming a judge was unimaginable. I hope my nomination and service inspires young trans people and that I can serve as a role model.” 

About the New York County Lawyers Association

The New York County Lawyers Association (www.nycla.org) was founded in 1908 as one of the first major bar associations in the country that admitted members without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or gender, and has a long history of supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Since its inception, NYCLA has pioneered some of the most far-reaching and tangible reforms in American jurisprudence. For more information on NYCLA please visit nycla.org.

This statement was approved for publication by the NYCLA Officers and NYCLA’s LGBTQ+ Committee,. This statement has not been approved by the NYCLA Board of Directors and does not necessarily represent the views of the Board.