NY Judge's New Job with Gov. Paterson (MORE, CLICK HERE)

Looks Like NY Judge's New Job Will Be Counseling New Governor
The New York Law Journal by Joel Stashenko - March 26, 2008

Governor David A. Paterson is set to introduce Supreme Court Justice James A. Yates of Manhattan as his counsel, possibly as early as today, according to sources close to the selection process.

Justice Yates, 61, emerged as a favorite to become Mr. Paterson's counsel even before the new governor was officially sworn in on March 17. He would succeed David Nocenti, former Governor Eliot Spitzer's counsel, who has stayed on to aid in Mr. Paterson's transition following Mr. Spitzer's abrupt resignation for patronizing a prostitution ring.

Mr. Yates has been a Supreme Court justice since 1998. From 1979-1992, he was counsel to the Democratic majority in the Assembly and to the Assembly speaker. Justice Yates was also on Commission on Judicial Nomination lists for openings on the state Court of Appeals in 1998, 2003 and 2006. Then-Governors George E. Pataki and Mr. Spitzer opted for different candidates each time.  Justice Yates did not immediately return a call for comment yesterday.