The role of a state Supreme Court justice is one of the most challenging and multifaceted assignments within our judicial system. After 22 years on the bench, including my time as former chief administrative judge and presiding justice of an Appellate Division department, I have had the opportunity to supervise and preside over nearly every type of case in the New York court system. One of the most difficult assignments is presiding over a guardianship part, where justices confront deeply rooted family issues that extend beyond legalities into the realm of human emotions and relationships. These justices are not merely arbiters of the law; they are caretakers of the fragile fabric of family life, navigating turbulent waters where litigants often blame one another, their attorneys, and ultimately, the justices themselves.

The Weight of the Assignment