First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George shares his journey at Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association Event

September 25, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Hon. Norman St. George sharing a light moment during the BWBA's "Lunch with a Judge" series, where he discussed his career and experiences with members. Screenshot via Zoom

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Hon. Norman St. George, the first deputy chief administrative judge for New York State Courts, shared his life story and insights into his career during the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association’s (BWBA) “Lunch with a Judge” series on Wednesday.

The virtual event, moderated by Hon. Genine Edwards, allowed BWBA members to hear about St. George’s career path, his current role overseeing the state’s trial courts, and even some of his personal hobbies.

St. George began by lightening the mood, joking that his “Uber Eats hasn’t arrived yet” before diving into a candid discussion about his upbringing and career.

Born to Jamaican parents who moved to The Bronx in the 1950s, St. George described the influence of his strict West Indian upbringing. “I had two choices in life — either becoming a doctor or becoming a lawyer — and I accepted that,” he said. While he initially leaned toward biology, he admitted that his aversion to dissecting a grasshopper led him to switch paths and pursue law.

After graduating from Hofstra Law School, St. George explained that he wanted to go where the action was and had his heart set on trial work.

“My ultimate goal was to be a trial lawyer; I wanted to go where the action was,” he explained. A brief stint as a tax attorney left him unfulfilled. “I became dissatisfied because I wasn’t going to court,” he recalled, even though his father thought he was “crazy” for leaving the role. But St. George was determined to follow his passion, which eventually led him to represent high-profile clients like Pete Rock and Heavy D.

St. George’s path to the judiciary, however, was not something he had planned for early on. “I didn’t want to be a judge at that time — I thought maybe in 10 or 15 years — but when the window of opportunity opens, you should jump through it,” he said, crediting a mentor for encouraging him to run for the bench.

His first attempt to run for office in 2002, when he ran for state Senate, ended in a narrow defeat. “I lost 49% to 51%,” St. George recounted, but he didn’t let that stop him. After losing again in 2007, he finally won a seat on the Supreme Court in 2008.

BWBA members gather on screen for a group photo at the conclusion of the virtual "Lunch with a Judge" event featuring Hon. Norman St. George. Screenshot via Zoom — BWBA members gather on screen for a group photo at the conclusion of the virtual “Lunch with a Judge” event featuring Hon. Norman St. George. Screenshot via Zoom

Today, as the first deputy chief administrative judge, St. George plays a key role in managing the state’s vast court system. “Our focus comes from the chief judge,” he said, explaining that their goal is to make the New York State courts the best in the country by ensuring equal access to justice and focusing on quality case resolution.

He also explained efforts to streamline the Office of Court Administration (OCA), making it more responsive to the needs of judges and court staff. “OCA exists to assist the judges in the administration of justice,” he said.

In addition to improving courtroom facilities and expanding technology — lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic — St. George has been committed to improving court morale. “The biggest change we wanted to create is better morale, and that is what we are constantly working on,” he said, adding that he frequently asks judges and court staff, “What do you need? What can we do?”

St. George’s conversation wasn’t limited to his professional life. He also shared some personal anecdotes, including his love for sailing on the Atlantic, skiing and even flying single-engine planes. “There is a peace that comes with that,” he said of his time flying and sailing, noting that these hobbies have helped him find balance amid the demands of his career.

The event wrapped up with advice for both practitioners and judges. To attorneys, St. George urged, “Master your craft. Once you do that, you become a natural leader.” For judges, his guidance was simple but powerful: “Administer justice fairly and to the best of your ability.”

BWBA President Hon. Cenceria Edwards, who helps select the judges for the series, praised St. George’s leadership and the changes he has brought to the court system. Judge Genine Edwards echoed this, thanking him for “changing the morale and leadership” within the courts. St. George was also invited to the BWBA’s upcoming holiday party, an invitation that he enthusiastically accepted.

The BWBA’s next event will be its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Abrams Fensterman in Metrotech, where they will honor Hon. Hector LaSalle, the presiding justice from the Appellate Division, Second Department.

Additionally, the BWBA has already sent out save-the-date announcements for its highly anticipated Holiday Party, scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11, although full details have yet to be released.