Judge Vito J. Titone.

• Author: Ciparick, Carmen Beauchamp
• Position: Symposium: Judges on Judges: The New York State Court of Appeals Judges' Own Favorites in Court History - Testimonial

Well, good afternoon. It's always difficult to follow Judge Kaye. But I want to thank her for her wonderful remarks. And thank you, Judge Rosenblatt, for the introduction. And thanks to the Albany Law Review and Professor Vincent Bonventre for hosting this wonderful event. And thank you for highlighting our Court in your upcoming issue of State Constitutional Commentary.

Before I begin, a lot of people have been recognized here today, but I see Professor David Siegel. I want to particularly recognize you, Professor Siegel. (Applause). Professor Siegel actually has three former students currently sitting on the Court of Appeals. He was my professor at St. John's, he was also Judge Jones's professor at St. John's, and he was Judge Graffeo's professor here at Albany Law School--so you have three of us.

DAVID SIEGEL: I need one more.

JUDGE CIPARICK: You need one more, right. Maybe Patrick Connors. (Laughter).

UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I'll give you the fourth vote. He's my professor, too.

JUDGE CIPARICK: Today, I will be speaking about our beloved Judge Vito J. Titone.

I have selected Uncle Vito, as he is fondly referred to by some, not only based on Professor Bonventre's e-mailed list of characteristics, including a Judge's wisdom, influence, opinions, dissents, writing-style, jurisprudence, administrative accomplishments, personality, character, and politics, but on, "whatever other factor," and that other factor, for me, is plain fun. And the great affinity I felt for Judge Titone, being a graduate, as I am also, of that other great law school, St. John's. And Judge Jones, I'm sure, seconds that comment.

I joined the Court of Appeals in January of 1994, over 14 years ago, and was privileged to sit with Judge Titone for four and a half of those years until his early retirement from the Court in June of 1998. What a tremendous experience, and what a caring colleague. He never forgot a birthday. In fact, he was fond of celebrating half, and even quarter birthdays. We racked up many more than seven cakes a year at Jack's on State Street. Anytime Judge Titone was feeling mischievous, which was often, or just plain wanted dessert, he declared it to be someone's birthday. And Jack's went along with him. They brought out the cake with candles; they sang happy birthday; they snapped a Polaroid shot. And I'm sure, after a while, they caught on to Judge Titone's playfulness. But they never complained.

Now Lisabeth Harrison, who we know as Libby, who was...