Gov. Jack Markell has announced his choice to be Delaware's next Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Markell has tapped Delaware Court of Chancery Chancellor Leo Strine Jr. as his nominee to become eighth Chief Justice of Delaware's Supreme Court.
“Chancellor Strine has an incredible set of experiences and track record serving Delaware as a member of the Chancery Court, most recently as Chancellor and I think he is very well-positioned to be an effective Chief Justice for Delaware,” said Markell.
Strine was one of four candidates sent to Markell for consideration by state's Judicial Nominating Commission last month.
“For over 21 years, I have committed my professional life to serving the people of Delaware,” said Chancellor Strine in a statement released by the Governor's office. “If the Senate confirms me to this important position, I will do everything I can to repay the confidence they and the Governor will have entrusted in me by working cooperatively with my colleagues to preserve Delaware’s tradition of judicial excellence and address the new challenges and opportunities to our state resulting from a rapidly globalizing economy.”
Strine has served as a judge on the Court of Chancery since 1998 and as Chancellor since 2011.
Markell says that experience is part of what made Strine an attractive choice.
“Corporate governance is such an important issue within the Delaware courts and is such an important issue to our economy," Markell told WDDE. "To have a Supreme Court Chief Justice who is as well-prepared as Leo Strine is to deal with those issue, to be an ambassador for Delaware, to be an ambassador for corporate governance in Delaware is a real plus for Delaware, our courts and the Supreme Court.”
Prior to joining the bench, Strine was legal counsel and policy coordinator to then Gov. Tom Carper.
If confirmed by the State Senate, Strine will replace Myron Steele, who stepped down as Chief Justice at the end of November.
The other candidates considered were Delaware Supreme Court Justice Carolyn Berger, Superior Court Judge Jan Jurden, and Superior Court President - Judge James Vaughn Jr.
Markell says it was a strong field of candidates.
"It's a good problem to have to have so many good candidates," said Markell. "But in the end I have to make a decision and I'm very confident that Leo Strine will be an excellent Chief Justice."