For the first time in its 107-year history, the New York State Appellate Division, Fourth Department, will hold a session at the Syracuse University College of Law. The court will convene April 10 at 10 a.m. in the Bond, Schoeneck & King Courtroom, Room 300 MacNaughton Hall to hear oral argument of 26 cases. It will be part of the "Have Gavel, Will Travel" series scheduled by the court in a program initiated by Eugene F. Pigott Jr., presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department.
The program showcases the court in urban, suburban and rural areas that normally don't have the opportunity to experience the appellate process in action. Until the outreach program was initiated, the mid-level Appellate Court, which has jurisdiction in 22 counties in Western and Central New York, held almost all of its working sessions at its courthouse in Rochester.
"This is an opportunity to familiarize residents of Central New York with the Appellate Division," explains Pigott. "In this case, we are joining with SU to provide law students and faculty with the opportunity to observe the court in action and query the justices."
Pigott said the invitation was extended by College of Law Dean Hannah Arterian..
Registration of the attorneys who will argue cases during the Syracuse session will begin at 9 a.m., and oral arguments will commence at 10 a.m.
Pigott will preside over the session with associate justices Robert G. Hurlbutt of Oswego County, Henry J. Scudder of Steuben County, and John F. Lawton and Leo F. Hayes, both of Onondaga County.
