Rockland County Pride Center Remembers Judge Paul Feinman

Press release from the Rockland County Pride Center:

April 6, 2021

The Rockland County Pride Center remembers the life and mourns the passing of New York Court of Appeals Judge Paul Feinman.

Judge Feinman’s career has exemplified how we are all enriched when our courts reflect our communities’ beautiful diversity.

Most of Judge Feinman’s distinguished career was devoted to public service. He served as a legal aid attorney handling appeals for indigent clients. From there, he went on to serve as a law clerk to an appellate judge and then as a civil court, Supreme Court, and then Court of Appeals Judge.

Judge Feinman is universally recognized as a smart, funny, honest, caring, humble, and knowledgeable jurist and friend. He was widely respected, admired, and loved by his colleagues.

Throughout his career, Judge Feinman was a tireless and resolute champion of LGBTQ rights, a trailblazing pioneer for LGBTQ lawyers, and an incredibly dedicated mentor who inspired countless judges, attorneys, and law students. In addition to his lifelong devotion to public service, Judge Feinman also volunteered his time to serve as the Chair of the New York State Justice Task Force, Past President of the International Association of LGBTQ Judges, and Past President of the Association of Supreme Court Justices of the State of New York. And, of course, Judge Feinman is the first openly gay person to be appointed to the Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York.

We at the Pride Center extend our deepest condolences to Judge Feinman’s husband, Robert Ostergaard, and all his family, friends, and colleagues.

This press release was produced by the Rockland County Pride Center. The views expressed here are the author's own.