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Hon. Meredith A. Vacca sworn in as a U.S. District Judge at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York

Monday, August 5, 2024

For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE

MEREDITH A. VACCA, SWORN IN TODAY AS A
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

Rochester, NY – August 5, 2024 – Meredith A. Vacca was sworn in today as a United States District Judge for the Western District of New York. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, Chief Judge, presided over the private ceremony held at the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in Rochester, New York, surrounded by family, friends and court personnel. Judge Vacca was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden on May 14, 2024, as an Article III judge, and confirmed by the full senate on July 31, 2024, receiving her commission from the President on August 1, 2024. Judge Vacca is filling the vacancy left when Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. assumed senior status on April 1, 2023. As a United States District Judge, Judge Vacca has a lifetime appointment.

Judge Vacca was recommended by United States Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer on May 9, 2024. In 2007, she served first as an Assistant Monroe County District Attorney, where she managed thousands of criminal cases through her thirteen years with the office. She served in the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Bureau where she prosecuted felony level offenses involving domestic violence and child physical and sexual abuse cases, as well as domestic homicides and child fatalities. In 2020, Judge Vacca was elected to the Monroe County Court where she presided over criminal felony level offenses, including dozens of felony jury and bench trials to verdict. Her caseload has included cases of homicide, burglaries, felony drug, gun assault, and sexual offenses in addition to civil matters. Since 2023, Judge Vacca has served on the New York State Supreme Court as Acting Supreme Court Justice.

“We are thrilled to have Judge Vacca join the Western District of New York federal bench,” states Chief Judge Wolford. “Judge Vacca will provide much-needed assistance in helping us handle our significant caseload so that we can provide justice to all those who appear in this court. Her hard
work and dedicated commitment to the justice system, combined with her vast experience from her years in the District Attorney’s office and on the state court bench, make her a welcome addition to our court. We appreciate Senate Schumer’s efforts to not only recommend Judge Vacca to the President, but to efficiently shepherd her through the confirmation process.”

With Judge Vacca’s confirmation, the Western District of New York will have four active district judges, in addition to five senior district judges. The Western District of New York covers 17 counties with courthouses in Rochester and Buffalo.

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