Dover, DE – The Delaware Senate today confirmed the nomination of Abigail Legrow to serve as Judge on the Superior court, filling the vacancy that was created by the retirement of the Honorable Fred S. Silverman as well as Kim DeBonte to serve as Commissioner of the Delaware Family Court, filling the vacancy that was created as a result of the retirement of the Honorable Pamela Holloway. The Governor issued this statement following the confirmations:

“Abigail Legrow will be a great addition to the Superior Court where I know she will continue to be an outstanding public servant to Delawareans. I appreciate the Senate showing their support and confirming her.”

“Kim DeBonte is a strong and dedicated advocate for Delaware families.  I thank the members of the Senate for showing their support and confirming such an experienced attorney to the Family Court.”

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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.

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Governor Markell, Senator Carper pay tribute to program and newest graduates

Wilmington, DE – Having built a record of turning around the lives of Delawareans with substance abuse issues, the New Castle County Superior Court’s Drug Diversion Court graduated its newest class today at the New Castle County Courthouse where Governor Jack Markell and Senator Tom Carper lauded the Court’s achievements over twenty years.

The program, which diverts people arrested for certain drug offenses to treatment instead of a trial, has met its goals of recovery and lower rates of recidivism for people with drug addictions.

“This program’s success in reducing recidivism and giving Delawareans the treatment they need is a reminder to all of us that strengthening our justice system so often does not mean putting more offenders in prison,” said Governor Markell. “I thank everyone involved in the Drug Diversion Court over the past two decades for their dedication to the success of its participants and for making Delaware a national model for effective treatment and recovery.”

As part of today’s ceremony for the ten latest participants to successfully meet the program’s requirements, Judge Jerome Herlihy, who now presides over the Drug Court, announced on the record that the criminal charge against each graduate was dismissed and presented them with certificates. The Superior Court reports that participants have recidivism rates around 32 – 35 percent in the two years following graduation.

“Over 20 years our drug court has faced a number of challenges due to the wide variety of drugs being abused or to which people are addicted,” said Judge Herlihy. “But now with more plentiful, stronger and cheaper heroin, the challenge to us is greater and more serious than probably ever before. This challenge is to all inside and outside the criminal justice system. It will not end soon.

“This Drug Court has enjoyed the support of all three branches of government since its inception. We are great full and look forward to this support continuing.”

According to the Superior Court, it offered one of the first Drug Diversion Courts in the United States. Today, there are now more than 2,500 such programs.

“There’s no doubt that we are up against a powerful enemy,” said Sen. Carper. “But there are ways to break the cycle of addiction, and the drug court is one of those ways. I’m proud that Delaware was among the first states to adopt a drug court – and many other states have followed because it not only works, but it’s the right thing to do.”

Established under the leadership of Judge Richard Gebelein in 1994 during then-Governor Carper’s administration, the Court has served nearly 5,900 people who have voluntarily entered its program, which partners with private treatment providers to direct individuals to the help they need over the period of six months to one year. Of the participants, about 3,800 have graduated after attending individual and group therapy session, receiving additional outpatient or inpatient services if required, consistently proving they are clean, and taking part in status conferences with the Court.

Wilmington – This afternoon, Chief Justice Myron Steele informed the Governor that he intends to retire from the position of Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court effective November 30, 2013.  In response, Governor Markell has issued the following statement:

“A judiciary is only as good as the men and women who serve in it, and quite simply, Chief Justice Steele is as good as they get. In addition to serving as Chief Justice, he has been a Superior Court judge, a Vice Chancellor on our Court of Chancery, and a member of the Supreme Court.  He has been a tireless and forceful advocate for our state’s judiciary and indeed, for the entire State of Delaware.   It is no secret that Delaware’s judiciary is the finest in the nation.  I want to thank Chief Justice Steele for his tireless efforts in building and maintaining a court system that is truly a national model.  On behalf of all Delawareans, I thank him for his exemplary service to our state. His intelligence, keen judgment, and passion will be missed.”

Prior to November 30, 2013, Governor Markell will request that the Judicial Nominating Commission begin the process of soliciting, reviewing, and recommending candidates to replace the Chief Justice.