N. Christopher Griffiths is an American lawyer from Delaware who is serves as a justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.
Christopher Griffiths | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office May 22, 2023 | |
| Appointed by | John Carney |
| Preceded by | Tamika Montgomery-Reeves |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Delaware (BS) Villanova University (JD) |
Education
editGriffiths is a graduate of Salesianum School. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware in 2002. He received a Juris Doctor from the Villanova University School of Law in 2008.[1][2]
Career
editPrior to practicing law, Griffiths served as a wealth manager for the Wilmington Trust Company and the Vanguard Group. He was a partner with Connolly Gallagher LLP focusing on administrative and government law; corporate and commercial litigation; bankruptcy law; and general litigation.[1][3]
Delaware Supreme Court
editOn April 13, 2023, Governor John Carney nominated Griffiths to serve as a justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, to the seat vacated by Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.[1]
His nomination came under scrutiny after it was reported that Griffiths pled guilty to reckless driving, alcohol-related in January 2023.[4][5]
On May 3, 2023, the Delaware Senate confirmed him by a 15–4–2 vote. Republicans opposed him because his nomination left the Supreme Court without a Justice sitting in Kent County.[6][7] He assumed office on May 22, 2023.[8] Griffiths became the first Black man to serve on the supreme court.[9]
Awards and recognition
editGriffiths has received the Delaware State Bar Association Young Lawyer of Distinguished Service Award, and the Supreme Court has appointed him as a Trustee of its Client Protection Fund. Chris also serves the board of the Delaware Law Related Education Center focusing on trial advocacy.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Governor Carney Announces Supreme Court Nominations" (Press release). Office of the Governor. April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "N. Christopher Null Griffiths Profile | Wilmington, DE Lawyer | Martindale.com". www.martindale.com. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "N. Christopher Griffiths".
- ^ "Del. Supreme Court nominee pleads guilty to reckless driving alcohol related". 47abc. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ Petree, Rob (April 18, 2023). "Delaware Senator concerned over Supreme Court nominee's conviction". 47abc. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Senate confirms Supreme Court picks despite opposition". delawarebusinesstimes.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ Kiefer, Paul (May 3, 2023). "State Senate confirms Carney's two Delaware Supreme Court nominees". delawarerepublic.org. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Judicial Officers | Supreme Court | Delaware Courts | State of Delaware". courts.delaware.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
- ^ "Delaware Senate confirms two Supreme Court nominees". AP NEWS. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ Owens, Jacob (April 14, 2023). "Judge LeGrow, Connolly Gallagher's Griffiths tapped for high court". Delaware Business Times. Retrieved April 26, 2023.