The Honorable Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the State of New York, will deliver the commencement address and be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws at Hofstra Law’s commencement ceremony on Monday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, North Campus, Hofstra University.
“Having enjoyed the privilege of serving in the court system with Chief Judge DiFiore, I have the highest regard and utmost respect for her as an outstanding prosecutor and jurist who is deeply committed to fairness and justice,” said Judge Gail Prudenti, dean of Hofstra Law. “We are honored to have Chief Judge DiFiore, a true inspiration, as our commencement speaker, and I am grateful that our students will have the opportunity to hear from her.”
Chief Judge DiFiore was appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 1, 2015. She was confirmed by the New York State Senate on Jan. 21, 2016, and took office the same day.
Chief Judge DiFiore has devoted virtually her entire professional career to the fair administration of justice, including service as a prosecutor and as a judge. Chief Judge DiFiore served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office from 1981-1987, and from 1994-1998 as Chief of the Office’s Narcotics Bureau. From 1987-1993, Chief Judge DiFiore practiced law with the firm of Goodrich & Bendish. In 1998, she was elected a Judge of the Westchester County Court, presiding over criminal and civil matters and sitting by designation in the Family Court, Surrogate’s Court and Supreme Court. She served as a County Court Judge until 2002, when she was elected a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court.
As a Supreme Court Justice, she served as Supervising Judge of the Criminal Courts of the 9th Judicial District. In 2005, Chief Judge DiFiore resigned from the bench and was elected Westchester County District Attorney. She served in this position from 2006-2016.
Chief Judge DiFiore received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law in 1981 and her B.A. from C.W. Post College, Long Island University, in 1977. She lives in Bronxville, New York, with her husband, Dennis E. Glazer. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.
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