Local Legal experts Appointed to New York Supreme Court Appellate Division
Binghamton, NY – October 18, 2025 – Two individuals with strong ties to the Binghamton area have been appointed to the Third Judicial Department of the new York Supreme Court Appellate Division, governor Kathy Hochul announced yesterday. Justice Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald and Justice Justin Corcoran will serve in the department, which oversees legal matters across 28 counties spanning from the mid-Hudson Valley to the New York-Canadian border and extending west to Schuyler and Chemung counties.
Justice Fitzgerald, a Binghamton native and graduate of Seton Catholic Central High School, has been designated to a five-year term as Associate Justice. She currently serves on the court and brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as Administrative Judge for the Sixth Judicial District.Fitzgerald earned her undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and her law degree from the Catholic University of America.She began her legal career in georgia before returning to upstate New York in 1990,establishing a private practice focused on civil litigation until her election to Supreme Court Justice in 2007.
Joining her is Justice Justin Corcoran, a Binghamton University alumnus who will be newly designated to the Appellate Division. currently a Justice of the Supreme Court in Albany, Corcoran spent 22 years in private practice, specializing in civil cases including medical malpractice, municipal liability, and civil rights. Prior to his election as Supreme Court Justice in 2019, he served as a confidential law clerk and dedicated time to public service as an Albany County Legislator and Chairman of the Albany County Ethics Commission.
“New York’s judiciary stands as a pillar of fairness and integrity, and these designees reflect our continued commitment to those values,” Governor Hochul stated. “Their deep legal expertise, sound judgment, and unwavering dedication to fairness will strengthen the Appellate Division and ensure that justice is served for all New Yorkers.”
These appointments underscore the state’s commitment to a strong and equitable judicial system, and highlight the contributions of local talent to the legal landscape of New York.
Keywords: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald, Justin Corcoran,