For Judge Theodore T. Jones.

• Author: Lippman, Jonathan
• Position: New York Court of Appeals - Testimonial

The late Judge Theodore T. Jones Jr. was a true New York original. As a colleague on the Court of Appeals, Ted Jones displayed a sharp intellect, an insightful perspective on the cases before us, and a warm and charming disposition. Before coming to the Court, Ted had distinguished himself as a soldier, a lawyer, a judge, and a rare human being. Judge Jones served his country with distinction as a soldier in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain and developing a mental toughness that he carried with him throughout his career. After receiving his law degree from St. John's University, he served as a criminal defense attorney for the Legal Aid Society and in private practice. Ted had the natural charisma of a trial lawyer and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life. In private practice, he continued to help those who had little in the way of financial resources. Though he was not always paid for his work, Ted did everything in his power to ensure that his clients received justice.

Elected as a Justice of the Supreme Court in 1989, Ted gained a reputation as a stellar trial judge, who handled the most difficult of cases, including the 2005 transit strike case in New York City. He was also a superb court administrator, who used his marvelous people skills and his organizational abilities to make the Kings Supreme Court a model for the state. Ted Jones is remembered by his colleagues at the trial courts as a judge's judge, who represented the absolute best in the court family.

In 2007, Ted was appointed by Governor Eliot Spitzer to serve on the New York State Court of Appeals. I can tell you from personal experience, when he spoke at conference or on the bench, we all listened, knowing that what he had to say was wise, learned, and attuned to the issues at hand. His legal decisions were scholarly, insightful, and pragmatic, and were imbued with an unflagging commitment to the rights and liberties of all New Yorkers. There can be no doubt that Ted Jones' work at the Court of Appeals left an indelible imprint on the jurisprudence of our state.

Ted was the chair of the Court's Diversity Committee and was...