Press Release – Oct. 28, 2015
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036
Senate confirms history-making slate
of female judicial nominations
History was made in the Senate Chamber Wednesday as the Senate confirmed Tamika Montgomery-Reeves as the first black woman to serve on Delaware’s world-respected Court of Chancery.
The Senate unanimously voted to approve Montgomery-Reeves’ nomination to serve as a vice chancellor on the Court. She becomes just the second woman to serve on the Chancery Court.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins, D-Elsmere, said that by confirming Montgomery-Reeves, the Senate was sending an accomplished lawyer to one of the nation’s premier state court postings.
“In many circles, Chancery Court is considered the Supreme Court of business law because its rulings are so widely cited and we all understand the court’s importance to Delaware’s competitive position in the global economy,” Blevins said. “Vice Chancellor Montgomery-Reeves’ qualifications and experience make her a natural fit and I think she’ll do an outstanding job.”
Senate Majority Whip Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington West, said it was significant that the Judicial Nominating Commission, the independent panel charged with making judicial recommendations, offered Markell an all-female slate of potential nominees to fill departing Vice Chancellor Donald F. Parsons’ seat on the court.
“That was an important signal to female attorneys up and down the state who might have thought that a glass ceiling remained in place after Carolyn Berger left to serve on the Supreme Court,” Henry said. “The Commission’s recommendation says loud and clear that race and gender are non-factors in Delaware’s nominating process and that it’s all about qualifications and ability. I hope our decisive vote in Vice Chancellor Montgomery-Reeves’ favor reinforces that fact.”
Montgomery-Reeves clerked for former Chancellor William B. Chandler III and became a partner at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, specializing in corporate governance and fiduciary issues as well as corporate litigation. Prior to that, the University of Georgia law school graduate was in the security and corporate governance department at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. She also provided pro bono services to the Prisoners’ Rights Project.
“When you look at Vice Chancellor Montgomery-Reeves’ wide range of experiences, you know she’ll do the court proud,” Henry added. “But I also hope this appointment will send a strong message to women of color across Delaware that the doors of opportunity in this state will swing open for you; that your accomplishments and hard work won’t go unnoticed.”
The Senate also approved Gov. Jack Markell’s nominations of Jennifer Ranji, who currently leads the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, and Danielle Blount to seats on the Family Court.
“Jennifer Ranji has taken on a lot of tough assignments throughout her career in state government and has worked tirelessly on behalf of our children and families,” said Blevins, one of the General Assembly’s leaders on children’s issues. “I think that makes her a fantastic choice for serving in one of the most challenging jobs in the state.”
Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, said he believes Blount’s experience serving in the family division of the Attorney General’s Office and as a deputy counsel to Markell has prepared her well for her new role. Blount lives in Townsend’s Newark Senate District.
“Commissioner Blount has seen the issues confronting our families right in their own homes, and in Dover through the policy-making process,” he said. “She will bring a broad understanding with her to the bench that will serve Delaware’s families well.”
In addition to the new judicial appointments, the Senate voted to:
The Senate unanimously voted to approve Montgomery-Reeves’ nomination to serve as a vice chancellor on the Court. She becomes just the second woman to serve on the Chancery Court.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins, D-Elsmere, said that by confirming Montgomery-Reeves, the Senate was sending an accomplished lawyer to one of the nation’s premier state court postings.
“In many circles, Chancery Court is considered the Supreme Court of business law because its rulings are so widely cited and we all understand the court’s importance to Delaware’s competitive position in the global economy,” Blevins said. “Vice Chancellor Montgomery-Reeves’ qualifications and experience make her a natural fit and I think she’ll do an outstanding job.”
Senate Majority Whip Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington West, said it was significant that the Judicial Nominating Commission, the independent panel charged with making judicial recommendations, offered Markell an all-female slate of potential nominees to fill departing Vice Chancellor Donald F. Parsons’ seat on the court.
“That was an important signal to female attorneys up and down the state who might have thought that a glass ceiling remained in place after Carolyn Berger left to serve on the Supreme Court,” Henry said. “The Commission’s recommendation says loud and clear that race and gender are non-factors in Delaware’s nominating process and that it’s all about qualifications and ability. I hope our decisive vote in Vice Chancellor Montgomery-Reeves’ favor reinforces that fact.”
Montgomery-Reeves clerked for former Chancellor William B. Chandler III and became a partner at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, specializing in corporate governance and fiduciary issues as well as corporate litigation. Prior to that, the University of Georgia law school graduate was in the security and corporate governance department at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. She also provided pro bono services to the Prisoners’ Rights Project.
“When you look at Vice Chancellor Montgomery-Reeves’ wide range of experiences, you know she’ll do the court proud,” Henry added. “But I also hope this appointment will send a strong message to women of color across Delaware that the doors of opportunity in this state will swing open for you; that your accomplishments and hard work won’t go unnoticed.”
The Senate also approved Gov. Jack Markell’s nominations of Jennifer Ranji, who currently leads the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, and Danielle Blount to seats on the Family Court.
“Jennifer Ranji has taken on a lot of tough assignments throughout her career in state government and has worked tirelessly on behalf of our children and families,” said Blevins, one of the General Assembly’s leaders on children’s issues. “I think that makes her a fantastic choice for serving in one of the most challenging jobs in the state.”
Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, said he believes Blount’s experience serving in the family division of the Attorney General’s Office and as a deputy counsel to Markell has prepared her well for her new role. Blount lives in Townsend’s Newark Senate District.
“Commissioner Blount has seen the issues confronting our families right in their own homes, and in Dover through the policy-making process,” he said. “She will bring a broad understanding with her to the bench that will serve Delaware’s families well.”
In addition to the new judicial appointments, the Senate voted to:
- Reappoint Family Court Judge Arlene Coppadge.
- Reappoint Superior Court Judge Mary Johnston.
- Reappoint Chief Magistrate Alan Davis to head the Justice of the Peace Court.
- Confirm former New Castle County Vo-Tech Superintendent Steven Godowsky to succeed Mark Murphy as Delaware’s education secretary.
- Confirm former Wilmington Public Safety Director Jim Mosley to succeed Lewis Schiliro as Secretary of Homeland Security and Public Safety.
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov