April 10, 2017
Last week, the Appellate Division, Second Department sat in regular session in St. John's School of Law's Belson Moot Court Room. This was the second time the court conducted official business at the Law School (the first was in April 2013), giving students an unprecedented opportunity to observe experienced appellate advocates in an intimate campus forum.
With appeals on the day’s calendar running the gamut of criminal and civil issues, the students had the unique honor of watching three St. John's alumni preside over the proceedings. Sitting on the four-judge panel were:
- Hon. Randall T. Eng ’72, '16HON Presiding Justice
- Hon. Ruth C. Balkin ‘76, Associate Justice
- Hon. Betsy Barros, Associate Justice
- Hon. Reinaldo E. Rivera ’76, Associate Justice
The special event brought home to all in attendance the great contributions St. John’s Law has made to the judiciary and to the administration of justice in New York State, where alumna Janet DiFiore '81 now serves as Chief Judge.
"It was a privilege to welcome the Second Department back to campus," says Dean Michael A. Simons. "This event symbolizes the deep connection between St. John’s and the Second Department, a connection forged by the judges who held session in the Belson Moot Court Room today and by past Presiding Justices in the St. John’s family―Hon. Frank Gulotta ‘31, Hon. Guy Mangano ’55, ’83HON and Hon. Milton Mollen ‘50L, ’78HON. This event also symbolizes the important connection between the academy and the practicing bar. By its presence here, the Court is playing an active role in educating the next generation of lawyers.”