Governor David A. Paterson today announced the nomination of the Honorable Thomas E. Walsh II to serve as an interim judge of the Rockland County Surrogate Court.

“I am proud to nominate such an outstanding lawyer and jurist to this bench,” said Governor Paterson. “His experience and dedication will allow him to continue to serve the people New York State with distinction.”

Justice Walsh has been practicing law for over 32 years. He has been an Assistant County Attorney since 1976, has simultaneously served as the Village of Haverstraw Justice for over 23 years (1983 – 2007), and is currently serving as the Town of Haverstraw Justice after being appointed in January of 2007 and subsequently elected in November of 2007. In addition, Judge Walsh served as an Official Referee to the Ninth Judicial District of the Supreme Court for approximately 25 years, and in 2005 and 2007 he was an acting Village Justice in the Village of Spring Valley. He received his B.A. from Fordham College in 1970 and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law in 1975.

Under the New York State Constitution, the Governor may nominate individuals to fill vacancies on Supreme Court, County Court, Surrogate’s Court and Family Court outside of New York City until the vacancies can be filled at the next general election. This vacancy was created by the election of Judge Robert Berliner to the Supreme Court in November 2007.

This nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.