May 7, 2014
Governor Mario M. Cuomo was presented with a 2013 New York Law Journal “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of his career accomplishments and the profound impact he has made on the law, in New York’s legal community and as New York State’s Governor.
The NYLJ published a profile on Gov. Cuomo’s illustrious career. Mario Cuomo was elected New York State’s 52nd governor, serving from 1983 to 1994. He was the longest serving democratic governor in the modern history of New York State and won the two largest electoral victories ever. Prior to serving as governor, he was appointed by Governor Carey as New York’s Secretary of State, and in 1978 was elected Lieutenant Governor, a position he held until going on to win the governorship in 1982. Additionally, Governor Cuomo taught for 13 years as an adjunct professor at St. John's Law School.
Gov. Cuomo is also lauded for creating the first major ethics law for public officials and for appointing to the Court of Appeals its first two women judges, its first black judge and its first Hispanic judge, as well as its first women chief judge (Judith Kaye, another Lifetime Achievement Award recipient).
Governor Cuomo reentered private practice in 1995 at Willkie. During his time at Willkie, he has also used his remarkable ability to bring people together as a mediator in several high profile matters.