Nardacci is sworn in as federal judge
ALBANY — As an eighth grade student in East Greenbush, Anne M. Nardacci enjoyed a rare chance to meet Judith Kaye, who would become the first woman to serve as New York’s chief judge.
On Friday, as a group of female students from Shaker High School watched from a courtroom gallery, Nardacci seized another opportunity that, for decades, was just as rare: A woman sworn to serve on the bench of U.S. District Court in the Northern District of New York.
Nardacci’s arrival means that for the first time in the history of the 32-county district that stretches from Binghamton to the Canadian border, women represent the majority of full-time judges.
In a packed fourth-floor courtroom of the James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse on Broadway, Nardacci explained that she did not know many lawyers growing up — and none who were women. In her eighth grade class, she said, she and a select group of students visited the
Court of Appeals, the top court in New York, where they watched oral arguments. They also met Kaye, who would later be named chief judge, in her chambers over a brown-bag lunch.
“I don’t remember the details of the case, but I do remember how kind she was and how interesting it all was to me. It’s an experience I’ve been thinking about a lot recently,” she said, highlighting the presence of students from Shaker High School in attendance.
Nardacci, 45, said that during her Senate confirmation hearing, she was asked why she would seek a judgeship at this point in her career.
“The answer is public service. I’ve always had a desire to serve my country.
“The answer is public service. I’ve always had a desire to serve my country. And we need even more people to serve.”
— Anne M. Nardacci, federal judge
And we need even more people to serve,” she said.
Nardacci ceremonially accepted her oath of office to the applause of her family, fellow judges, attorneys and prominent officials including U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D -New York, who had recommended Nardacci to President Joe Biden. The Senate confirmed her nomination last fall.
Nardacci, a seasoned commercial litigator, will occupy a long unfilled vacancy created when U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe attained senior status in 2016. Schumer said when he reviewed Nardacci’s candidacy for the judgeship, she exceeded all qualifications. He said Nardacci “wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth” and built a career through hard work.
Nardacci is tough, levelheaded, fair, decent and smart, Schumer said. He said when Sen. John Kennedy, R-louisiana, grilled Nardacci during her Senate confirmation hearing with a tricky question, Nardacci calmly answered it with a smile, leaving the Republican senator astonished. Kennedy ended up voting for Nardacci’s confirmation, Schumer said.
“The people of the Northern District are just incredibly lucky to have her on the bench.”
Nardacci’s nomination fell on International Day of Women Judges, Schumer said. Twelve years ago, the Northern District had no women judges. Schumer has since recommended District Judge Mae D’agostino for her judgeship in 2010, and in 2014 now chief Judge Brenda Sannes for a judgeship in Syracuse. Both were nominated by President Barack Obama.
Schumer quoted Shakespeare before lauding Nardacci for fairness and ability to show mercy. He said she possessed rare traits of brilliance and humility.
“She never forgot her roots. She’s one of the most brilliant jurists around,” Schumer told reporters.
Sannes presided over the ceremony, which was attended by 18 federal judges, as well as legal, political and business figures across the region, Also in attendance was Jennifer Champlin, the immediate past president of the National Association of Women Lawyers, a former law school classmate of Nardacci.
Champlin, a corporate attorney based in St. Louis, praised Nardacci for her temperament, humility and moral compass. Nardacci was unshakable when professors quizzed her in class, she said.
“Anne never got rattled,” Champlin told the crowd.
Nardacci, a graduate of Columbia High School, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University in 1998, then attended Cornell Law School where she graduated in 2002 after serving as the editor of the school’s law review.
Nardacci worked on the staff of former Rep. Michael Mcnulty, D - Green Island, before entering private practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York City and later the firm of Boies Schiller Flexner, where she became a partner.
Nardacci is married to local economy entrepreneur Tom Nardacci. They have two children.