Retired Justice, First Department, Appellate Division
Of Counsel, Holland & Knight LLP
Play Ball
The son of a New York City Corrections Officer and a first
generation American, the Honorable Joseph P. Sullivan ‘57 has the
distinction of being the longest serving Appellate Division Justice
in New York State history, 30 years. A former Presiding
Justice of the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, in
New York City, his current practice focus is on appellate,
mediation, arbitration and white-collar matters for Holland &
Knight LLP.
From the Schermerhorn Campus of St. John’s School of Law, Judge
Sullivan fondly recalls Professor Charles M. Sparacio and Dean
Harold F. McNeice selling tickets to the annual Frolic and Banter
Extravaganza. Tickets to the function were five and seven
dollars respectively, depending on which of the two professors sold
the ticket. The accommodations at Schermerhorn Street were so
commodious that the Glee Club conducted its Holiday recital from
the hallway. Tuition was fifteen dollars per credit.
Judge Sullivan who has an undergraduate degree from St. John’s
University, was considering a career with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation when he met a St. John’s Law School alumnus at a
Career Services function. Impressed with the professionalism of the
Law School graduate, Judge Sullivan enrolled in St. John’s School
of law. While attending, Judge Sullivan was drafted into the
Korean War. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, Judge
Sullivan continued his law school education, achieving continuous
Dean’s List recognition.
As a young practicing attorney in the Bronx, the local Democratic
Club served as a business and social networking center where Judge
Sullivan spent his downtime. Years later, he was encouraged
to run for Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York.
After four years as a Civil Court Judge, he was elected to the New
York State Supreme Court. Judge Sullivan did not
relinquish the Judicial robe for thirty-nine years (1969-2007),
until he reached mandatory retirement age. He was nominated
ten times for appointment to the State’s highest court, the Court
of Appeals, including twice for the position of Chief Judge.
In a memorable case, Judge Sullivan was on the bench for
the unforgettable New York Yankees – George Brett Pine Tar court
case. Baseball fans will recall that Brett hit a home run in
the top of the ninth inning to put his team, the Kansas City Royals
ahead. Billy Martin, the Yankees manager, protested the home
run due to an excess of pine tar having been applied to the
baseball bat. The home run was disallowed and the batter
called out by the umpire, thereby ending the game, with the Yankees
victorious. The President of the American League overturned
the umpire’s call, and ordered he completion of the game. The
Yankees obtained a court injunction preventing the game from being
resumed and the League appealed to the Appellate Division, seeking
vacatur of the injunction. In anticipation of the ruling, a
swarm of reporters from the national media descended upon the
Appellate Division Courthouse to witness Justice Sullivan proclaim
“Play Ball” in acknowledgement of the fact that Major League
Baseball has jurisdiction over the interpretation of baseball
rules. The baseball bat that started the controversy now
reposes in Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
One of Judge Sullivan’s five children followed him into the legal
profession. His daughter, Joan Sullivan ’87, also attended St.
John’s School of Law. Judge Sullivan tenders this
advice to St. John’s Law graduates, “A St. John’s Law degree opens
doors to the finest firms and affords unlimited opportunities. You
have received the best of legal educations. Never run from a
challenge. Perform at the highest level of your ability and
do not shirk your the responsibilities to those who count on
you.”