Governor Hochul Announces Designation to the Appellate Division in the Fourth Department

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the designation of Justice Erin S. Skinner as an Additional Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Fourth Department.

"New Yorkers deserve a judiciary defined by integrity and excellence," Governor Hochul said. "Justice Skinner's extensive legal experience and unwavering commitment to justice make her exceptionally well-qualified for this role, and I am confident she will serve New Yorkers with fairness and impartiality."

Justice Erin S. Skinner

Justice Erin S. Skinner was elected to the New York State Supreme Court for the Seventh Judicial District in November 2024 and is currently assigned to preside over civil litigation, including Labor Law, personal injury, matrimonial and foreclosure matters.

Prior to her election, Justice Skinner served as Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable Joanne Winslow (Ret.) and the Honorable Mark Montour at the Appellate Division, Fourth Department. In that capacity, she worked on a broad range of civil and criminal appellate proceedings. From 2019 to 2021, she also served as a Court Clerk at the New York State Court of Appeals, New York's highest court.

Before her service within New York's appellate courts, Justice Skinner practiced as an Assistant Public Defender with the Monroe County Public Defender's Office, where she represented clients in criminal matters and regularly appeared before Monroe County trial courts. Her experience advocating for individuals navigating the justice system provided her with valuable insight into the impact of judicial decisions and the importance of ensuring that every litigant is heard fairly and respectfully before the court, a perspective she continues to bring to her work on the bench.

Over the course of her legal career, Justice Skinner has been invited to present educational programs for bar associations and professional organizations on topics including appellate advocacy and practice before New York's appellate courts. She has also spoken on the importance of mental health, wellness, and resilience within the legal profession. She also taught Intro to Law and Legal Studies and Constitutional Law I to undergraduate students at SUNY Brockport.

She graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from SUNY Cortland and received her J.D. magna cum laudefrom Syracuse University College of Law.

Presiding Justice Gerald Whalen said, "We are thrilled to welcome Justice Erin Skinner to the Appellate Division, Fourth the Department, as an Associate Justice. Justice Skinner is no stranger to our Court. Before she was elected to the Supreme Court in the Seventh Judicial District, Justice Skinner served as confidential law clerk to two Fourth Department justices and as a court attorney on our Court's legal research staff. Justice Skinner's history and experience with our Court will be a significant asset as she steps into her new role as Associate Justice."