Every once in a while, somebody in Albany does something smart.  This time, it was David Paterson, our new governor.   He has named Manhattan Justice James Yates as his counsel.

I am a huge fan of Judge Yates, not because he has always been particularly kind to me (we’ve gone at it a few times), but because he is one of the smartest judges I’ve ever known.  Smart is good.

A little background on Judge Yates:

Mr. Yates graduated from Princeton University in 1967 and received a law degree from Rutgers University in 1973, after which he joined the Legal Aid Society as a staff lawyer. He was senior counsel to the State Assembly’s Codes Committee from 1979 to 1987; legislative counsel to the Assembly speakers Mel Miller and Saul Weprin from 1989 to 1992; and a judge for the State Court of Claims from 1992 to 1998.

Aside from his time in Jersey, which apparently reflects a transitory wrong turn over the GWB, he’s done his time. 

Turning to the more subjective aspect, my experience with Jim Yates is that he possesses a level of integrity about himself, his work and public service that is unbearably rare in New York politics.  This is one of those guys who is in it for the right reasons, and wants to serve rather than “lead”. 

Governor Paterson has made a wise choice.  If Judge Yates needs a hand with anything, I hope he gives me a call.  Albany will gain a great deal by having Jim Yates back.