Judith Kaye

Judith S. Kaye (born August 4, 1938) is a retired New York judge who served as Chief Judge of New York from March 23, 1993 until December 31, 2008. She was the first woman to occupy the State Judiciary's highest office. Kaye was born in Monticello, New York. She holds a B.A. from Barnard College (1958) and an LL.B from New York University School of Law (cum laude; 1962). She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1963. She began her career in private practice in New York City at Sullivan & Cromwell. She subsequently moved to Olwine, Connelly, Chase, O'Donnell & Weyher (a now-defunct law firm) until her appointment to the Court of Appeals. Under Judge Kaye's leadership, New York State was considered a national leader in court reform...