Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell issued the below statement in reaction to today’s Supreme Court decision guaranteeing a nationwide right to marriage:

“The Supreme Court’s decision affirms what Delaware recognized in our state’s successful push for marriage equality. Equality under the law means honoring the loving relationships of all couples and their families. I’m proud that today our country has taken another important step in our unending quest to live up to our values and become a more perfect union.”

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Dover, DE – The Delaware Senate today unanimously confirmed the nomination of Judge James T. Vaughn, Jr. to serve as a Justice on the Delaware Supreme Court, replacing Justice Carolyn Berger, who retired on September 1. The Governor issued this statement following the confirmation:

“Justice Vaughn is an accomplished and well-respected jurist whose integrity and commitment to justice are second to none. I believe he will make an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court, and I thank the members of the Senate for their consideration and swift confirmation of his nomination.”

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced he has received formal written notice from The Honorable Carolyn Berger, Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, of Justice Berger’s intention to retire from the Supreme Court effective September 1, 2014. In connection with that notice, Governor Markell issued the following statement:

 “For more than three decades, Justice Carolyn Berger has served the State of Delaware with distinction as a member of the finest judiciary in the nation. As the first female member of both the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court, Justice Berger ‘broke through the glass ceiling’ not once but twice. Justice Berger is a trailblazing jurist whose commitment to justice is second to none.  I salute her for her service to the State of Delaware and wish her all the best as she moves toward retirement.”

Justice Berger was appointed as a Vice Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery in 1984, where she served until her appointment to the Delaware Supreme Court in 1994. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Justice Berger served as a Deputy Attorney General with the Delaware Department of Justice; as an associate at Prickett, Ward, Burt & Sanders; and as an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Justice Berger is a graduate of the University of Rochester, Boston University (M.Ed.), and the Boston University School of Law (J.D.).

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced the nomination of Karen L. Valihura, a widely respected corporate law practitioner, to serve on the Delaware Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Delaware Senate, Valihura will fill the vacancy left by Justice Jack B. Jacobs, who retires on June 24^th.

“Karen Valihura is an attorney of uncommon skill, intelligence, and integrity who has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence in her 25 years in private practice,” said Governor Markell. “As important, she has a long track record of service to the community. If she is confirmed by Senate, I believe Karen will serve our state well as a member of Delaware’s highest court.”

Ms. Valihura is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP, where she has practiced law since 1989. Her practice involves a wide range of complex and high-profile litigation involving an array of corporate and commercial issues, including mergers and acquisitions, fiduciary duties of directors, and federal and state securities fraud claims. She represents business entities in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the country.   Ms. Valihura is widely recognized as one of Delaware’s pre-eminent corporate law practitioners, and she has been selected repeatedly for inclusion in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America.

“I am humbled by this great honor, and I wish to thank Governor Markell for having the faith in me to succeed retiring Justice Jack Jacobs who contributed greatly to making our Supreme Court a shining star among our nation’s courts,” said Ms. Valihura. “I also want to thank the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission, and its Chair, the former Chancellor William B. Chandler, III, for their consideration. Should I be lucky enough to be confirmed by the Delaware State Senate, I look forward to working hard  to serve the citizens of this great State as part of one of the best state court systems in the nation.”

In addition to her work in the courtroom, Ms. Valihura has served her community and colleagues.  For 18 years, she served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware Special Olympics, and also served for eight years as a member of the Delaware Bar Foundation. She currently serves as a member of the advisory board of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance and as a member of the Delaware Supreme Court’s Permanent Ethics Advisory Committee on Delaware Rules of Professional Conduct.  She previously served as a member of the Board on Professional Responsibility, having served as Board Chair for six years and as a member of the Corporation Law Council of the Delaware State Bar Association.

Valihura, 51, received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Washington and Jefferson College in 1985.  She earned her law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1989. She resides in Wilmington.