2014 Brings New Faces to the Delaware Judiciary

July 23, 2014

There have been a lot of changes in the Delaware judiciary this year.

In February of 2014, Leo E. Strine, Jr. was sworn in as Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court. He replaced Chief Justice Myron Steele. Prior to his appointment, Chief Justice Strine sat as a Vice Chancellor on the Court of Chancery since 1998 and as Chancellor since 2011.

Effective July 1, 2014, Leonard Stark replaced retiring Chief Judge Gregory Sleet, who had served in that position since 2007. Stark served as a United States Magistrate Judge from 2007-2010 and a District Court Judge from 2010-2014.

Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, Kevin Gross has also retired. His successor is Judge Brendan L. Shannon. Shannon has served as a judge on the Bankruptcy Court since 2006.

In April, Andre Bouchard was confirmed as by the Delaware Senate as Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Bouchard will replace former Chancellor Leo E. Strine, Jr. who now serves as Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court. Prior to his appointment, Bouchard practiced at Bouchard, Margules & Friedlander in Wilmington, Delaware.

In June, Karen L. Valihura was nominated by Governor Jack Market to fill the Delaware Supreme Court seat being vacated by Justice Jack B. Jacobs, who retired on June 24, 2014.

If confirmed by the Senate Valihura will be the second woman to sit on the Delaware Supreme Court. Valihura practices corporate law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Wilmington, Delaware.