Citing over two decades of experience at all levels of the court system and years of important public and community service experience, Binghamton attorney Oliver Blaise today announced his candidacy for State Supreme Court in the Sixth Judicial District.
Blaise said he is in the process of building support for his candidacy for Supreme Court. The announcement of Blaise’s candidacy follows the announcement this week that Supreme Court Justice Ferris D. Lebous would be retiring and not seek election this year.
Blaise, 47, is currently partner at Coughlin & Gerhart in Binghamton. He became a partner at Coughlin & Gerhart in 2004 and joined the firm in 1997. He was admitted to the bar in 1998.
“The decisions made in State Supreme Court can affect everyone who lives and works in the 10 counties of the Sixth Judicial District, and residents need an experienced and capable judiciary serving them. I will be a fair, effective and responsive judge, and work to meet the highest standards of judicial service needed for our region,” said Blaise.
During more than two decades as attorney with Coughlin & Gerhart, Blaise has gained vast experience concentrating on municipal law and civil litigation in the region. He has served as general counsel to towns, fire districts and fire companies, and litigation counsel to towns, counties, villages and school districts.
Blaise has also performed trial and appellate level work in municipal and commercial cases, and has experience with intellectual property, real property, workers’ compensation and personal injury litigation, in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.
“During my career, I have effectively represented clients on a wide variety of cases and issues in courts at every level in the Sixth Judicial District and have gained the experience needed to now serve on this important court,” said Blaise.
“The area included in the Sixth Judicial District is diverse, with a variety of issues, opportunities and challenges. As attorney, I have been privileged to represent residents and community organizations throughout the district, giving me great insight into the legal issues in the area,” added Blaise.
Along with over two decades of legal experience, Blaise now serves as Republican election commissioner, a part-time position, with the Broome County Board of Elections. He is also a long-serving member of the United Way of Broome County’s board of directors and the Binghamton Sertoma Club, and past president of the Broome County Bar Association.
Blaise is licensed to practice law in New York State courts; admitted to practice in numerous federal courts, including the Northern and Southern Districts of New York, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
He earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University at Albany.
The Sixth Judicial District includes the counties of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins Counties.
Blaise is a Republican. He will be seeking endorsements at upcoming judicial conventions. The general election is Nov. 5.
He and his wife Dayla are parents of four children ages 7 through 13.