This column welcomes the newest member of the Western District bench, Elizabeth A. Wolford. Judge Wolford is the first woman to serve as an Article III1 judge in the Western District. She issued her first decision in January, Spikes Bell v. Cont’l Sch. of Beauty, Civ. No. 13-CV-6244W, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50785 (W.D.N.Y. Jan. 23, 2014). Prior to her appointment, Wolford was in private practice for 20 years focusing on commercial and employment litigation. Her investiture will take place on May 5, 2014.
In another development, Chief Judge William M. Skretny announced that he will be taking senior status effective March 8, 2015. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr., who sits in Rochester, will become the new chief judge in the Western District.
