The New York Bar Foundation Honors High-Profile Judges with Force for Justice Award

The New York Bar Foundation presented its Force for Justice Award to First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George and Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks, recognizing their distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to justice.
The Leadership Laureate celebration, held on July 29 at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C. on Long Island, brought together legal leaders from across New York State to recognize the work of Judges St. George and Wicks and to highlight the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to expand access to legal services in underserved communities.
“Judge St. George has strengthened New York’s judiciary through innovation, strategic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to fairness,” said Justice Cheryl Chambers, President of the Foundation. “He brings a steady hand to court administration, focused on efficiency without compromising justice, making a meaningful impact across the state.”
In 2023, Judge St. George was appointed First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, the second-highest ranking administrative position within the New York State Judiciary. In this role, and on behalf of the Chief Administrative Judge, he oversees all trial-level courts throughout the state, as well as all departments and operations within the Office of Court Administration. He also supervises the courts in the Tenth Judicial District, which includes Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
He previously served as the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Courts Outside New York City, where he also oversaw the Town and Village Courts statewide. Prior to that, Judge St. George was the District Administrative Judge for all courts in Nassau County, following his tenure as the Supervising Judge of the Nassau County District Court.
A graduate of Hofstra Law School, Judge St. George’s nearly four-decade career in the law includes more than twenty-two years on the bench. He has served as a District Court Judge, a County Court Judge, and a Justice of the Supreme Court, presiding over serious felony criminal matters, complex commercial and medical malpractice cases, and overseeing specialized parts including the Integrated Domestic Violence Court, Domestic Violence Court, Youth Part, and the Sex Offense Court. Prior to ascending to the bench, Judge St. George practiced law for sixteen years as a litigation attorney in both federal and state courts.
“The Foundation’s mission—to provide support to those in need of civil legal services and to inspire law students to pursue public service—is one I deeply value,” St. George said.
Justice Chambers also praised Judge Wicks’ well-known commitment to upholding high ethical standards, noting that he is a Fellow of the Foundation—an honor reserved for exceptional leaders in the legal community.
“Judge Wicks has shown a lasting commitment to integrity, professionalism, and service,” Justice Chambers said. “His leadership within the bar, including his service as former Chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Commercial & Federal Litigation Section and his work with the EDNY Civil Litigation Advisory Committee, reflects his deep commitment to strengthening the justice system and the legal profession.”
Judge Wicks expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for its efforts to provide legal assistance to those most in need across New York State. “I remain inspired by the Foundation’s leadership and its commitment to expanding access to justice,” he said.
James M. Wicks was appointed a United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York in 2021. Prior to his appointment, he spent over 25 years at Farrell Fritz, P.C. in New York, where he was a partner, served on the management committee, and later became the firm’s first general counsel. Judge Wicks has taught at St. John’s University School of Law as an adjunct professor since 2005. He has held leadership roles in bar and professional organizations, including serving as Chair of the EDNY Civil Litigation Advisory Committee, the Federal Bar Council’s Central Islip Courthouse Committee, and the New York State Bar Association’s Commercial and Federal Litigation Section. He has also been a member of the State and Federal Judicial Advisory Council and the New York State Judicial Institute on Professionalism. He earned his law degree from St. John’s University in 1989.
The July 29 celebration was part of the Foundation’s Leadership Laureate Series, launched in honor of its 75th anniversary. Held across the state, the series recognizes distinguished legal professionals and highlights the commitment of the Foundation and its partners to providing civil legal assistance and supporting legal education through scholarships and fellowships.
The reception, sponsored by Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C., included remarks from Justice Chambers, who emphasized that advancing the rule of law is a shared responsibility and that justice should be accessible to all. Remarks were also delivered by Reception Co-Chairs Ross Kartez, a partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C., and (Ret.) Justice Elizabeth H. Emerson, of counsel at the firm. Elizabeth Eckhardt, director of the Nassau County Bar Association Lawyers Assistance Program and representative of one of the many nonprofit organizations that has received a Foundation grant, spoke about the importance of the Foundation’s support and the impact its grants have had on New Yorkers.
The Force for Justice Award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify unwavering dedication to justice and embody the spirit of compassionate generosity.