Otsego County has an interim county, surrogate and family court judge: Richfield Springs lawyer Jhilmil Ghaleb, 43.
She will succeed Michael Coccoma, who was elected a state Supreme Court justice last November.
Ghaleb, who is not affiliated with a political party, was nominated for the open post last month by Democratic Gov. David Paterson after being deemed ``highly qualified'' by a screening committee. On Wednesday, she was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate.
``I am deeply honored, and looking forward to the challenge,'' she said by telephone from Albany not long after her confirmation.
Ghaleb said she will contact the Office of Court Administration and await instructions on how soon she can report to work. As a ``three-hat'' judge, she may preside in all of the county's courts.
Earlier in her career, she concentrated on criminal cases, she said, but in recent years has spent much of her time in the county's busy family court.
Ghaleb, who will serve until the end of the year, has announced her candidacy for a full term in this year's election.
Earlier Wednesday, Dr. Ben Friedell, chairman of the county's Democratic Committee, said the committee will very likely endorse Ghaleb at tonight's meeting.
``She'll be an excellent judge, and I think it's certain we'll support her,'' he said.
Hours before Ghaleb was confirmed, Republican John Lambert of Cooperstown, the county's chief assistant district attorney, formally announced his candidacy for the judgeship.
Surrounded by well-wishers, Lambert appeared with his wife, Katie, and their three children on the steps of the county courthouse. With a crowd of about 100 people watching, he said his professional and family experiences have prepared him to preside in the county's three courts.
Lambert, 38, who is also Cooperstown village attorney, was endorsed by the county's Republican Committee in April.
The state Senate is narrowly controlled by Republicans, but voted unanimously to confirm a candidate likely to be opposed by a Republican in the fall. Duncan Davie, spokesman for Republican Sen. James Seward of Milford, said the Senate rose above politics to do what was best for the county.
``Senator Seward and others voted for this confirmation to try to relieve some of the burden on Judge Burns between now and the end of the year,'' he said.
Since January, Brian Burns has been the county's only judge, although Coccoma has been hearing county cases in state Supreme Court.
County judges are elected to 10-year terms and earn $119,800 a year.
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