By JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

The tone of comments at a Thursday welcoming ceremony for newly appointed judges was lighthearted and humorous.

Hon. Henry Scudder, presiding justice of the Appellate Division, 4th Department, and Hon. Sharon Townsend, administrative judge for the 8th Judicial District, presided over ceremony, which was organized by the Bar Association of Erie County as a tribute to state Supreme Court Justices Hon. Frank Caruso, Hon. James Dillon and Hon. Rose Sconiers as well as Erie County Court Judge Hon. Thomas Franczyk and Buffalo City Court Judge Hon. Betty Calvo-Torres.

Townsend noted that this year was unusual compared to those in years past because all of the judges have served some time on the bench.

"It's not the same as years where we have brand-new judges, where someone is moving from private practice or public service to the judiciary," she said. As a result, she expects the transitions to go smoothly for court staff and attorneys.

"Everybody has developed a rhythm at this point," Townsend said.

Caruso, who was a Town of Tonawanda justice for 11 years, was previously appointed to state Supreme Court in 2006 and elected to a full 14-year term in November.

"In a sense, I've been on the job for a year now," he said. "I can say the experience in Tonawanda was really invaluable for helping me here."

Caruso, who will be adding matrimonial matters to his calendar of civil cases this year, is based in Niagara Falls. He noted that he's happy to be inheriting the chambers of a close family friend, the late Hon. Jacqueline Koshian.

"I would stop by her chambers and shoot the breeze. Now I'm in her chambers and her courtroom. It's very surreal," he said.

Dillon, who moved across the street from Family Court to state Supreme Court, said he's still in a state of transition as he unpacks and adds cases to his calendar.

He's looking forward to hearing jury trials, which he handled as an assistant Erie County district attorney in the 1990s. While in Family Court, Dillon noted, he didn't have to hide his thoughts or emotions, because he was essentially judge and jury, but now he'll have to be cautious so that he doesn't inadvertently influence the jury.

"I look forward to working with a different group of people and to keep doing essentially the same job, (just) expressing it in a different way," he said.

The five newly appointed judges recently attended a weeklong Office of Court Administration judicial course in New York City.

"You not only reacquaint yourself with topics, but things change, so you have catching up to do," Dillon said. "You make sure you do the right thing (now) as opposed to the right thing years ago."

Sconiers recalled thoughts she told a group of students sitting in on a case in her courtroom that is good advice for any judge, old or new.

"One of the things I've always said is, ‘With this robe does not come a crown,' " she said.

She added that a good judge makes those involved feel like they got their fair day in court whether they win or lose.

"Somebody's going to lose, but if they feel that the judge was fair and that justice has been done, and you can do that with the demeanor and temperment of the position, then you can't become full of yourself," Sconiers said. "You stay grounded."