After Schumers Urging, This Morning NYS Supreme Court Justice Eric Vitaliano Formally Nominated To Federal Bench
In Bipartisan Deal Reached During Bushs First Term, White House and Governor Pataki gave Schumer Pick for Next Vacancy in Eastern District of New York
Last May, Schumer Forwarded Nomination of Former Mid-Island Assemblyman to the White House
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that former New York Assemblyman and Acting New York State Supreme Court Justice Eric Vitaliano was formally nominated to fill one of two existing vacancies on the Eastern District Federal Bench this morning. Last May, Schumer asked President George W. Bush to nominate Judge Vitaliano, and if approved by the Senate, he would become the only judge on that court to hail from Staten Island.
"Judge Vitaliano has had a distinguished career as a lawyer, public servant, and judge, Schumer said. I have no doubt that he will continue to be an outstanding jurist on the Federal Bench, who is committed to interpreting law, not making law. Vitaliano has a stellar record in both the public and private sectors, and a sterling reputation. He is a true moderate who will serve the court honorably and handle cases fairly.
During President Bushs first term, Schumer brokered a bipartisan deal with the White House and Governor George Pataki to fill vacancies on New York's federal bench with moderate, diverse, and wellqualified judges. Under that deal, Schumer and Pataki backed all of the White House's pending New York nominees and all of the nominees who were undergoing background checks. As part of the agreement, the White House and Pataki backed Schumer's choice to nominate Paul A. Crotty to the next vacancy that opened up in the Southern District of New York. Mr. Crotty was just confirmed by the full Senate in April. They also promised to give Schumer a choice for the next nominee in the Eastern District of New York.
Judge Vitaliano was born in Staten Island and attended college at Fordham University. He graduated from New York University School of Law, where he served on the executive board of the New York University Law Review.
After law school, Judge Vitaliano clerked for United States District Judge Mark A. Constantino of the Eastern District of New York, and worked for seven years for the prestigious Manhattan law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. From 1983 until 2002, Judge Vitaliano served the people of Staten Island as a popular, wellrespected member of the New York State Assembly with a long strong record of accomplishments, including leading the successful fight to close the Fresh Kills Landfill and championing tough but smart policies on crime.
