Vote New York

Yates County, N.Y. -

Yates County Judge W. Patrick Falvey, who has been on the bench for two decades, is seeking another term.

“It has been an honor and my privilege to serve the people of Yates County for the past 20 years,” said Falvey, who also serves as the county’s Surrogate and Family Court judge. “I am grateful for the opportunity I have had for public service, and I hope to be able to continue in my role as presiding judge in all county-level courts.”

Falvey, 61, a graduate of Penn Yan Academy and Hobart College, received a law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1975. He began his legal career in private practice with James A. Townsend, and in 1976 Falvey was appointed attorney for the Yates County Department of Social Services, followed by three years as the county’s assistant public defender.

Falvey then moved over to the prosecutorial side, serving as assistant district attorney and acting district attorney before being elected DA in 1981. He served in that capacity until 1988, when he was appointed county judge by then-Gov. Mario Cuomo following the death of Judge Frederick Dugan.

Falvey won an election later that year for a 10-year term and ran unopposed for another 10-year term in 1998. He is unlikely to face opposition this time around, either.
While Falvey will be unable to serve another full term because of a state law that requires elected judges to retire at the age of 70, he said his desire to serve the public is as strong as ever.

Falvey lives in Penn Yan with his wife, Suzanne. They have two children and two grandchildren.

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