(DNAINFO) Dartunorro Clark | June 16, 2017 — The first openly gay judge has been picked to serve in the state’s top court following the death of of trailblazing Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he selected Appellate Judge Paul Feinman to fill the Court of Appeals seat, after Abdus-Salaam was found dead in the Hudson River in April.

If confirmed by the state Senate, Feinman would be the first openly gay judge to serve on the state’s top court, Cuomo’s office said Thursday.

“While we continue to mourn the untimely passing of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam, Justice Feinman will help ensure that the Court of Appeals upholds the highest principles of law and fairness that embody the very best of New York,” Cuomo said in a statement.

“[Feinman] is a talented jurist who has dedicated his career to public service and standing up for a fairer and more just New York.”

Source: Judge Would Be First Openly Gay Jurist to Serve in State’s Top Court – Central Harlem – DNAinfo New York