Eugene F. Pigott Jr.

Eugene Pigott
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
Acting
In office January 1, 2016 – February 8, 2016
Appointed by	Andrew Cuomo
Preceded by	Jonathan Lippman
Succeeded by	Janet DiFiore
Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
In office September 15, 2006 – December 31, 2016
Appointed by	George Pataki
Preceded by	George Bundy Smith
Succeeded by	Rowan D. Wilson
Presiding Justice of the Fourth Judicial Department
In office 2000–2006
Appointed by	George Pataki
Preceded by	Delores Denman
Succeeded by	Henry Scudder
Personal details
Born	September 1946 (age 78) Rochester, New York, U.S.
Education	LeMoyne-Owen College (BA) University at Buffalo (JD)

Eugene F. Pigott Jr. (born September 1946) is an American jurist who served as an Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 2006 until 2016. He was appointed by Republican Governor George Pataki, and his term expired when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Early life and education

Pigott grew up in Rush, New York, a suburb of Rochester, and graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School. He graduated with a B.A. from LeMoyne College in 1968. Judge Pigott served on active duty in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970. He was stationed in the Republic of Vietnam, serving as a Vietnamese interpreter. He graduated with a J.D. from SUNY at Buffalo School of Law in 1973.

Legal experience

Judge Pigott was in private practice from 1974 to 1982 at the small but elite Buffalo firm of Offermann, Fallon, Mahoney & Adner. In 1982 he was appointed Erie County Attorney and served in that position until 1986. In 1986 he returned to private practice as chief trial counsel at his former firm, now renamed Offermann, Cassano, Pigott & Greco.

On February 4, 1997, he was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court by Governor George E. Pataki and thereafter was elected to a full 14-year term.

In 1998, Governor Pataki appointed Pigott to the Appellate Division for the Fourth Judicial Department. He served as Presiding Justice from February 16, 2000, until his appointment to the Court of Appeals.

His selection for a 14-year term to New York State's Court of Appeals, also by Governor Pataki, was confirmed by the New York State Senate in 2006. In his first years on the court, Pigott dissented relatively frequently. Compared to his colleagues he was slightly more likely to favor plaintiffs in civil cases and the prosecution in criminal cases. Pigott became known for repealing the Sugary drinks portion cap rule in New York City, arguing the New York City Board of Health exceeded its powers. He retired from the Court of Appeals effective December 31, 2016, the end of the year in which he reached age 70, as required by the New York State Constitution.

Personal life

He and his wife Peggy live in Grand Island, New York. They have two children, David and Martha.