State Senate to consider nominations for Family Court and Commissioner positions

Dover, DE – Governor Markell today announced the nominations of five individuals to serve as members of the Delaware judiciary, including the Honorable Janell Ostroski (for Judge of the Family Court, New Castle County), the Honorable Louann Vari (for Judge of the Family Court, Kent County), the Honorable Mary Much (for reappointment as Commissioner of the Family Court, New Castle County), Katharine Mayer (for Commissioner of the Superior Court, New Castle County), and Donald Bucklin (for Commissioner of the Court of Common Pleas for Kent and Sussex Counties).

“I’m privileged to nominate five experienced and exceptionally qualified individuals with a passion for serving our state,” said Governor Markell. “The judges and commissioners of the Family Court, Superior Court, and Court of Common Pleas address many of the most challenging issues that face our courts. They play an important role in ensuring that the law is fairly applied and that justice is served every day. If confirmed by the Senate, I am confident that each of these individuals will serve with distinction and contribute to the sterling reputation of the Delaware courts.”

Current Family Court Commissioner Janell Ostroski is being nominated to the Family Court Judge position in New Castle County that was made vacant by the retirement of the Honorable Jay H. Conner. Commissioner Ostroski has served as a Family Court Commissioner since October 2009, and prior to that time worked in private practice and in various roles for the Family Court, Superior Court, and Delaware Department of Education. Ostroski is a 1986 graduate of St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, Delaware, and later graduated from the University of Delaware (magna cum laude, 1990) and Widener University School of Law.

The Honorable Louann Vari is also a current Family Court Commissioner, a role she has served in since 2007. Commissioner Vari is being nominated for the Family Court Judge position in Kent County that was made vacant by the retirement of the Honorable William Nicholas. Prior to her role as Commissioner, Vari worked for eight years as a Deputy Attorney General in the Delaware Department of Justice and for two years with the Delaware Department of Education. Commissioner Vari is a 1980 graduate of Lake Forest High School in Felton, Delaware, and graduated from the University of Delaware Honors Program in 1988 and Widener University School of Law in 1991.

The Honorable Mary S. Much, who is nominated for reappointment, has served as a Family Court Commissioner in New Castle County since May 2006. Prior to her confirmation by the Senate, Commissioner Much served for seven years in the Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware and three years as a Deputy Attorney General. Commissioner Much is a 1977 graduate of Wilmington Friends School, and holds degrees from Villanova University and the Widener University School of Law. Commissioner Much is being nominated for reappointment to her current position.

Katharine Mayer graduated from the University of Delaware in 1995 and Widener University School of Law in 1998, and is nominated to become a Commissioner of Superior Court (New Castle County), in the position left vacant by the retirement of the Honorable Mark S. Vavala. She is currently a partner in the Wilmington office of McCarter & English, LLP, where her practice is focused on commercial debtor/creditor litigation and product liability defense litigation. In her time as a member of the Delaware bar, Mayer has practiced in all of the state and federal courts in Delaware, with a particular emphasis in Superior Court, Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, and the Court of Chancery.

Donald Bucklin has served as a Deputy Attorney General in the Delaware Department of Justice for the last seventeen years. Since 2009, his practice has been concentrated in the Court of Common Pleas. Bucklin graduated from the University of Virginia in 1990 and Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law in 1995. He is being nominated to become a Commissioner of the Court of Common Pleas (Kent and Sussex Counties), in the position left vacant by the resignation of the Honorable Abby Adams.

The Senate is expected to consider these nominations in a hearing later this month.

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced he will nominate Abigail Myers Legrow, who currently serves as a Master in the Court of Chancery, to become a Judge of the Superior Court. He also announced he will nominate Kim DeBonte, who currently works for the State of Delaware’s Office of the Child Advocate, to become a Family Court Commissioner in Sussex County. If confirmed by the Senate, Legrow will fill the vacancy that resulted from the retirement of the Honorable Judge Fred S. Silverman in late November, and DeBonte will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Pamela Holloway.

As a Master in Chancery since her 2012 appointment to that position, Legrow has presided over hearings and written dozens of recommendation opinions on a wide variety of time-sensitive legal disputes, including business disputes, trusts and estates, and guardianships.

Prior to her appointment as a Master in Chancery, Legrow served as a corporate litigation associate at the Wilmington-based law firm Potter Anderson & Corroon. Before joining Potter Anderson, Legrow served as a law clerk to the Honorable Justice Jack B. Jacobs of the Delaware Supreme Court. LeGrow graduated in 2004 from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, where she was the valedictorian of her class and the Editor of the Penn State Law Review. Legrow earned her Bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Susquehanna University.

“Abigail Legrow has demonstrated the work ethic, intellect, ability to make timely and well-informed decisions, and professional demeanor that is required for a Judge of the Superior Court,” said Governor Markell. “Her three years of judicial experience in her prior role as a Master in Chancery make her uniquely qualified to immediately excel as a Superior Court Judge. If confirmed by the Senate, the State of Delaware would be fortunate to retain Abby as a dedicated public servant in this new role.”

“I am honored to have been selected by Governor Markell to join the Superior Court,” said Legrow. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity that I have had as a Master of the Court of Chancery and, if confirmed by the Senate, I very much look forward to making the transition to the Superior Court.”

Through her work as an attorney at the State of Delaware’s Office of the Child Advocate, DeBonte has directly participated in a wide variety of issues that regularly come before the Family Court. Prior to her time at the Office of the Child Advocate, DeBonte worked in private legal practice, focusing on litigation and family law. In addition to her legal work, she has taught classes as an adjunct professor at Delaware Technical & Community College, where she also is a past member of the Advisory Committee for the Office and Administrative Technology Program. DeBonte graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1997.

“Kim DeBonte is a dedicated and talented attorney and advocate, with extensive experience in the very issues she will be considering as a Family Court Commissioner,” said Governor Markell. “She has demonstrated the desire, skills and work ethic necessary to succeed in her role addressing the Family Court’s challenging docket. I believe the Senate’s approval of Kim as a Family Court Commissioner will strengthen an already deep bench of dedicated jurists.”

“I am honored to have been selected by Governor Markell to join the Family Court,” said DeBonte. “If confirmed, I understand the hard work and commitment that will be necessary to make sure that anyone appearing before me in my new role receives all of the attention and services that they deserve.”

The Senate is expected to consider both nominations when legislative session resumes in January 2016.

###

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced the nomination of three accomplished attorneys for open judicial positions, as well as the nomination for re-appointment of three outstanding members of the judiciary.

Governor Markell is nominating Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, an accomplished corporate litigator with a passion for service, to become Vice Chancellor of the Court of Chancery. If confirmed by the Senate, Montgomery-Reeves would succeed Vice Chancellor Donald F. Parsons, Jr., whose term is set to expire on October 22^nd.

Currently a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Montgomery-Reeves focuses on corporate governance, navigation of corporate fiduciary duties, and corporate litigation. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced in the securities and corporate governance department of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. She has been recognized for her pro bono contribution to the Prisoners’ Rights Project and previously served as a law clerk for Chancellor William B. Chandler III.

“Tamika Montgomery-Reeves has the intellectual ability and strong work ethic necessary to serve on Delaware’s Court of Chancery,” said Governor Markell. “She also has substantial experience practicing corporate law and clerking for the Court of Chancery, and she has demonstrated a genuine passion for the issues handled by the Court.  If confirmed by the Senate, I’m confident she will serve to maintain the Court’s deserved reputation as the premier venue for the resolution of business disputes.”

Montgomery-Reeves graduated from University of Georgia School of Law and received her Bachelor’s Degree magna cum laude from the University of Mississippi. She currently resides in Wilmington with her husband and their son.

“I am honored and humbled to have been nominated by Governor Markell to serve on the Court of Chancery,” said Montgomery-Reeves. “If I am lucky enough to be confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to serving the citizens of Delaware as a member of Delaware’s premier corporate and business law court.”

Markell also announced the nominations of Jennifer Ranji and Danielle Blount for appointment to the Family Court of Delaware. If confirmed by the Senate, they would succeed Judge William L. Chapman Jr., who is retiring later this month to return to private practice, and Commissioner Mary Ann Herlihy, who will also retire from state service at the end of October.

Ranji has served the Markell administration as the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, and served previously as an educational policy advisor to the Governor. Prior to her current role, she frequently appeared in the family court in private legal practice, served as Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of Governor Thomas Carper and as Director of Legal Affairs for Family Court of the State of Delaware.  While in private practice, she provided pro bono representation to domestic violence victims through Delaware Volunteer Legal Services and to child abuse victims through the Office of the Child Advocate.

“Jennifer is a compassionate, dedicated public servant and has been an invaluable member of my administration,” said Governor Markell. “She has devoted her career to improving the lives of children and families and I’m confident she will continue to do so, if confirmed by the Senate.”

“I am honored to be nominated to serve as a judge on Delaware’s Family Court,” said Ranji. “I have very much appreciated the opportunity to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, alongside the 1,200 dedicated Department employees who work to support and protect Delaware’s children and families every day. If confirmed, I look forward to joining the Court in its important work on behalf of children and families in Delaware.”

Danielle Blount currently serves as Governor Markell’s deputy legal counsel. Blount served previously as a Deputy Attorney General in the Family Division of the Office of the Attorney General, and as a litigation associate for Fox Rothschild LLP. She resides in Newark with her family.

“Danielle’s impressive work in the courtroom and understanding of the issues facing our most vulnerable residents makes her an ideal fit for our Family Court,” said Governor Markell. “If confirmed by the Senate, she will continue to serve our state with distinction.”

“It is a privilege to be nominated by Governor Markell to the position of Commissioner of the Family Court of Delaware,” said Blount. “I have the utmost respect for the judges, commissioners and staff of the Family Court and if confirmed by the Senate would be honored to serve alongside them.”

Governor Markell is also nominating three judicial officers for re-appointment:  Superior Court Judge Mary Johnston, Family Court Judge Arlene Coppadge, and Justice of the Peace Court Chief Magistrate Alan Davis.

“If these outstanding judicial officers are confirmed, I am confident they will continue to serve the State of Delaware with distinction.”

The Senate is scheduled to consider these nominations during a special session on October 28.

###