Hector D. LaSalle was nominated to be the new chief judge of the New York Supreme Court by New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday, December 22. If vetted by the senate, LaSalle will be the first Latin person to become the most powerful judge in the state.

Hochul, who is a Democrat, said that LaSalle is an “outstanding jurist” and he will focus on “expanding access to justice for New Yorkers.” If his nomination is confirmed, then he will lead the 7-member court and oversee all its operations. 

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“I am committed to leading the Court with integrity and fairness, upholding justice, and protecting the rights of New Yorkers,” LaSalle said in a written statement to the press. 

Who is Hector D. LaSalle?

Hector D. LaSllea was born in Long Island to parents of Puerto Rican origin. In 1990, he earned a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University, and in 1993, the University of Michigan Law School awarded him a J.D. He is the first person from his family to receive a college degree.

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He is currently the presiding justice of the Second Department, New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division. Governor Andrew Cuomo selected him for this role in 2014.

From 2009 to 2013, LaSalle served as the justice of Suffolk County Supreme Court, 10th Judicial District. From 1999 to 2022, he was the Deputy Attorney General at the New York Attorney General’s office. He was also the Attorney at Ruskin Moscou, Faltisheck.

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He served as the deputy district attorney of Suffolk County first from 1993 to 1998 and then again from 2002 to 2009.