Y

• Author: Elizabeth Smith/Mark Thompson
• Pages: 356-357

YORK, LOUIS B.

Justice, First Judicial District Supreme

Court, New York County

Appointment/Election: Elected.

Previous Experience: Acting Justice,

1995-2004; Judge, New York City Civil Court,

1987-1994; Private practice at York & Prosnitz,

1985-1986, Manhattan Legal Services,

Director and Chief Counsel, 1971-1985; Legal

Aid Society; Federal Communications

Commission, Broadcast Bureau.

Honors and Memberships: Former mem-

ber: American Bar Association; Committee of

Litigation; New York County Lawyers

Association (Former Chair, Committee on

Legal Assistance; Section on Supreme Court

Committee); Jewish Lawyers Guild (Board of

Trustees); B’Nai B’rith; Freedom-Lincoln-

Jordan Lodge (Past President); Life Fellow,

American Bar Foundation; Joint Committee

on Legal Referral Service of New York City

Bar Association and New York County

Lawyers Assn.

Education: J.D., Cornell University Law

School, Ithaca, NY (1963); LL.M, New York

University Law School (1968).

Biographical Data: Born June 1938 in

Brooklyn, NY.

Noteworthy Decisions: Nunez v.

Dinkins, 2/26/96 (Rent stabilization); New

York City Police Dept. v. Velazquez, 2/13/96

(Conspicuous service); City of New York v.

State of New York, 12/26/95 (Consti-

tutionality of criminal court jurisdiction over

petty offenses); Trump v. Perlee, 9/29/95

(Quick draw game/constitutionality); Sohn

v. Calderon, 9/20/95 (Real Property Law

Section 234/ Attorneys’ fees).

Special Rules:

Conferences: Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.,

argument on motions at 9:30 a.m. Courtesy

copies at least two days in advance only for

class action suits and constitutionality

arguments. On orders to show cause

returnable in the part, all further submis-

sions must be filed at least one day in

advance of the return day.

Address: 71 Thomas Street

New York, NY 10013

Phone: (646) 386-3810 (chambers)

(646) 386-3852 (courtroom)

IAS Part Clerk: Helen Muller

Law Clerk: Beth Herstein

ATTORNEYS’COMMENTS

TEMPERAMENT/DEMEANOR

Attorneys generally said they get along with

Acting Supreme Court Justice York. “He’s a

very nice man.” “Good guy to work in front of.”

The attorneys who were contacted said they

usually find Judge York to have an “excellent”

temperament, even though that may not be a

view which is widely held. “Even tempered.”

Others reported that in their experience he is

“a little temperamental.” “His reputation is for

being explosive, but he wasn’t in this case.”

“He can be a real pain. Moody. After you get

past that, he’ll settle down and do what he

can.” He is reputed to treat attorneys “with

great courtesies.” “Very decent man. If you

treat him well he will treat you well.” There

were slightly mixed opinions about his suit-

ability for a young attorney. “Good.” “He’s a

fair judge. He wouldn’t be too difficult for a

young attorney.” “He is not good for a young

attorney. He is easily swayed, more so by vet-

eran attorneys.”

ON THE BENCH

The interviewed lawyers, overall, credited

Justice York with being a “good judge.” “He’s

a no-nonsense judge, straightforward.” He is

generally considered be prepared for the

day’s business and his part is hardworking

and efficient. The perception of his legal acu-

men given by interviewees was that it is from

average to good, but his sincerity and fair-

ness was appreciated and mentioned as well.

“On some things he is very smart, on other

things he is dense. He has blind spots, but

generally speaking, he is willing to listen to

reason.” “He seemed to listen to everyone.”

As to his approach to a case, there was dis-

agreement. “He loves to look at the law.” “He

just applied the law based on the facts.”

“He’s more facts oriented.”

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