New NY Top Judge Went from Cravath to Leading Court Liberal (1)

New York Court of Appeals Judge Rowan Wilson is expected to be a progressive counterweight as chief judge on a court where the docket has shrunk and a conservative majority has dominated.

Wilson, a former Cravath partner turned prolific liberal dissenter since joining New York’s top court as an associate judge in 2017, will be the first Black judge to lead the state’s court system. He was confirmed Tuesday by the state Senate and was present for the historic vote.

Legal observers predict he will help burnish the body’s reputation at a time when state high courts are seen as ...