Assembly Resolution No. 239

BY: M. of A. Weinstein

COMMENDING The Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin
upon the occasion of being recognized for her
distinguished service and extraordinary
accomplishments in the advancement of justice by the
Women's Bar Association on April 4, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those singular individuals who devote their purposeful
lives and careers to preserving the rights and protecting the welfare of
the citizens of their community and the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the State of New York
has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless
dedication and benevolent concern of Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The
Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin upon the occasion of being recognized
for her distinguished service and extraordinary accomplishments in the
advancement of justice by the Women's Bar Association to be celebrated
on Thursday, April 4, 2019, at The Water Club in New York City, and to
wish her a very Happy 90th Birthday; and

WHEREAS, Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin, who is currently a Senior
Counsel with the firm of Alston & Bird, retired from the bench on
December 31, 2005, after service as a Justice of the Appellate Division,
First Department for more than 20 years; and

WHEREAS, After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York
University (NYU) in 1950, Betty Weinberg Ellerin earned a Bachelor of
Laws degree from NYU School of Law in 1952; and

WHEREAS, Betty Weinberg Ellerin began her illustrious judicial
career, which traversed more than six decades, at a maritime law firm;
she went on to a lengthy trial court clerkship, a position which enabled
her and her husband, Milton, to raise three wonderful children; and

WHEREAS, The first woman appointed to the bench of the Appellate
Division, First Department in March of 1985, Justice Betty Weinberg
Ellerin was also the first woman to serve as Presiding Justice of that
Court in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Prior to serving in this most esteemed capacity, Justice
Betty Weinberg Ellerin was the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the
State of New York, charged with primary responsibility for administering
the operation of all the trial courts within the City of New York,
involving more than 425 judges and over 4,700 non-judicial personnel;
she was once again the first woman to hold such position; and

WHEREAS, Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin was elected to the bench in
1976 as a trial and calendar judge in the Criminal and Supreme Courts;
prior to her appointment as the City's Administrative Judge, she was
appointed the Judge-in-Charge of the complex handling all cases in which
the City of New York was a party; and


WHEREAS, Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin is the long time Chair of
the New York State Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts, as well as
Chair of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board, Vice-Chair
of the New York State Court System's legislatively mandated Advisory
Committee on Judicial Ethics, and Vice-Chair of the Appellate Division,
First Department's Committee on Character and Fitness; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
profession, Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin is a member of the Statewide
Advisor Committee on Civil Practice, a Trustee Associate of New York
University, and a member of the Board of Directors and Executive
Committee of the NYU Alumni Association, having served as President of
the NYU Alumni Federation for many years; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, she is a founder and member of the Board of
the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York, as well as a
founding member/Board member of Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert
(JALBCA); and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman lectures extensively in
conjunction with bar association and court sponsored educational
programs, and for many years served as Chair of the Curriculum Committee
for the annual Judicial Education Seminars; and

WHEREAS, Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin has been the proud recipient
of countless awards and accolades, including the A.B.A. Commission on
Women in the Profession's Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement
Award, the Founders Award of the Women's Bar Association of the State of
New York, and the prestigious Robert B. McKay Award from NYU School of
Law, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Throughout a life and career of purposeful endeavor,
Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin has remained true to her commitment,
serving family, faith and community, as well as the law; her
contributions and accomplishments have brought great benefit and
positive influence to bear upon the course of jurisprudence and the
quality of life for others; and

WHEREAS, Justice Betty Weinberg Ellerin, in every capacity in which
she served, has left her permanent mark on the criminal justice
community and will forever be remembered as a determined, innovative and
genuinely concerned expert in her field; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin upon the occasion of being
recognized for her distinguished service and extraordinary
accomplishments in the advancement of justice by the Women's Bar
Association, and to wish her a very Happy 90th Birthday; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin.