Judith Kaye
1938-2016
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
Judith Ann Kaye was born on August 4, 1938, in Monticello, New York. She received a degree in Latin American Civilization from Barnard College in 1958 and began a career as a journalist with the Hudson Dispatch in Union City, New Jersey. She turned her focus to law and attended New York University School of Law and in 1962, Kaye graduated sixth in her class of nearly 300 and was one of only ten women to graduate.
She began her career in law at Sullivan & Cromwell and left after two years to join the IBM legal department. In 1975 Kaye was named the first female partner with Olwine, Connelly, Chase, O’Donnell & Weyher. In September 1983, Governor Mario Cuomo appointed Kaye as the first woman to serve as Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals. After 10 years in that role, in 1993 Cuomo appointed Kaye as the first woman Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals.
Kaye was the longest-serving Chief Judge in New York State, retiring at age 70, the New York State mandatory retirement age for judges, at the end of 2008. She had a passion for addressing social problems, including drug abuse, family violence, and mental illness. Kaye died on January 7, 2016, in Manhattan, New York.
For a complete biography of Judith Kaye, visit the Historical Society of New York Courts.
Series B2593: Judith S. Kaye Speeches and Articles contains speeches and articles by Judith S. Kaye during her time as an associate judge and later Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals.
Oral Argument Before the New York State Court of Appeals, Tape 2 of 3, January 13, 1987
Identifier
NYSA_16242-96_87_020N_2
Description
#37 - Dynamics Corp. of America v. Marine Midland Bank - New York; #38 - People v. Julio Marrero;
#39 - People v. Steven Minor; #54 County of Nassau v. Cuomo
Judith Kaye Address
