SCHUMER: ELIZABETH WOLFORD CONFIRMED BY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE BY UNANIMOUS BIPARTISAN VOTE; WILL BE FIRST-EVER WOMAN TO SERVE ON FEDERAL BENCH IN WESTERN DISTRICT
brWolford Has Had Very Respected and Successful Legal Career in Private Sector and Has Worked in Rochester for 20 Years And Built Respected Law PracticebrbrbrbrLiz Wolford Reaches Final Step to Being First Woman to Serve on Fed Bench in Western District, Confirmation Now Moves to Senate Floor -- Born In Buffalo Raised in Rochesterbrbr brbrSchumer: Wolford Embodies Best Qualities of a Legal Professional and Will Be Fair, Moderate Judgebrbr
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Elizabeth Wolford was confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously by voice vote to serve as a judge in the Western District federal court. Her nomination to the federal bench now moves to the full Senate. Ms. Wolford is a historymaking pick, as she would be the first woman to serve on the federal bench in this district, and she would take the seat left vacant when District Court Judge Charles Siragusa took senior status in December. In opening remarks before the Committee during her introduction, Schumer made the case for Wolford, and presented the many reasons that she would be an excellent fit for the job. Schumer pointed to Wolford's stellar legal background, close ties to Western New York and the Rochester region, evenhandedness, temperament and demonstrated leadership skills, which together would make her an excellent choice for the Western District Court. Schumer also said that she is highly capable and very qualified for the position.
"I am thrilled, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, to recommend Elizabeth Wolford to the Senate for her final confirmation," said Schumer. "For a long time, one of my goals has been to bring a woman to the federal bench in Western New York. Liz will not only do that, but she will also bring her considerable legal experience and firstrate legal mind to the bench; she is simply one of the finest judicial candidates I have ever met."
Schumer continued, "Today's unanimous vote demonstrates that members of both parties recognize that Ms. Wolford's qualifications are exemplary and her experience will serve well the people of the Western District Court. I expect the full Senate will swiftly confirm her nomination."
Wolford, who was born in Buffalo on December 17, 1966, now resides in Honeoye Falls. She grew up in the Rochester area, and is a proud alumni of the Fairport School District. Wolford graduated from Colgate University in 1989 and received her law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1992. Ms. Wolford is a Partner at the Wolford Law Firm LLP, in Rochester, where she represents clients in both federal and state courts in a variety of complex business, commercial, and employment litigation. There she gained extensive experience in both the state and federal justice systems.
During nearly two decades at The Wolford Law Firm, Ms. Wolford has represented numerous small businesses in the RochesterFinger Lakes Region. In 2000, Wolford was awarded a Special Service Award by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York for excellence in the vigorous representation of a pro bono client in a civil rights case. In 2003, Wolford was named "Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year" by the New York State Bar Association. Last June, she won the President's Award by the Monroe County Bar Association.
Wolford is not only a respected legal practitioner; she is also an active member of the RochesterFinger Lakes community. She has dedicated a tremendous amount of time from her practice to serve residents as the former President of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys. Additionally, Wolford served on the board of Sojourner House at Pathstone, a transitional home for women in crisis, and on the Volunteer Legal Services Project.
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