By recalling the mirthful and loyal qualities of dear friend and former Judge Richard A. Brown, I take nothing away from the fond and serious recollections of his accomplishments as Queens County district attorney. We shared a long and close friendship that allowed us to experience some more playful human anecdotes known to few. In his memory, I proffer them in supplementation of the outpouring of regard and affection that has been published about him and his career. Brown was a fiercely loyal friend and defender of his colleagues and staff. I testify to this as a first-person witness.

One of our earliest major collaborations was when he was chief counsel to Gov. Hugh Carey and I was chief clerk of the Court of Appeals in the late 70s. The new appointment process for the Court of Appeals had just been added to the state constitution, and the very first vacancy occurred with the retirement for age of Chief Judge Charles Breitel at the end of 1978. As counsel, Brown had to chart and navigate the uncharted waters of this historic appointment—the sitting junior associate judge, Lawrence H. Cooke, as the next chief. When he called me, as clerk, to discuss how to stage the public event, we agreed to make the rollout very symbolic and somewhat adventurous. So, after the traditional press conference at the Capitol, the governor and new chief judge came down Eagle Street to the Court of Appeals. We “producers” arranged for the ceremonial swearing-in to include the governor, seated on the bench with the seven judges of the court. This had never been done before. Brown and I were always very proud of the daring behind-the-scenes impresario-like roles we played to memorialize this historic event—and that it became the standard practice to this day (for the most part, and always for new chief judges).