More OCA Dead Wood to Go, Now Jan Plumadore

Justice Plumadore Announces Retirement
The New York Law Journal - News in Brief - March 25, 2009

Justice Jan H. Plumadore, 66, of Saranac Lake, who has served as the deputy chie administrative judge for the courts in the the 57 counties outside New York City since 2004, has announced his retirement. He said yesterday in an interview that the timing of the move remains to be determined; he plans to work with his successor to insure an "orderly, seamless" transition. He also anticipates retiring from the bench entirely later this year but not before he presides over several additional trials. Justice Plumadore earns $144,000 in his administrative post. As a trial judge, he will earn $136,700. He said he wants to pursue other interests, including representing clients in court, consulting and volunteer work in the schools. Justice Plumadore said he originally agreed to take the administrative job for three years but Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau asked him to stay on a bit longer. He said the new chief judge, Jonathan Lippman, "needs a longtermer. The quicker that happens the better for everyone." Chief Judge Lippman recently announced a reorganization of the courts that will retain two deputy administrators under Judge Pfau, including Justice Plumadore's successor. Judge Pfau thanked Justice Plumadore for his "dedicated leadership in a demanding position," adding that "he has developed an uncommon record of integrity and fairness." A graduate of Albany Law School and former Franklin County legislator, Justice Plumadore was elected to [the] Supreme Court in 1987 after serving 10 years as a county court judge. -- Jeff Storey