Magistrate David tapped for Chancery Court

November 27, 2024 1

WILMINGTON – Gov. John Carney announced that he will nominate Court of Chancery Magistrate Bonnie David to replace retiring Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III.

David still must be confirmed by the state Senate, but that process has faced little opposition in recent years. Carney has called for a special session on Dec. 16 for the confirmation hearings and possible vote.

“We are fortunate to have such qualified nominees who have the experience and judgment necessary to serve as part of Delaware’s world-class judiciary,” said Governor Carney. “Magistrate David has met the high standards of our Court of Chancery, and will continue to serve our state well on our country’s premier venue for corporate litigation.”

– Advertisement –

Appointed by Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick in 2023, David was tasked to manage adult guardianships, books-and-record lawsuits, property and trust disputes as well as other corporate issues as a magistrate. She received her law degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2013.

Before serving as magistrate, David practiced law with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP, where she litigated a wide variety of corporate matters before the Court of Chancery. She also clerked for Glasscock, who is the second-longest serving judge on the court. If she is confirmed by the senate, David would also be based out of the Sussex County Chancery courthouse in Georgetown.

The movement among Delaware’s courts are of interest to business professionals and state leaders alike. Over 1 million businesses, including half of all publicly traded companies and more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, are incorporated in Delaware due to its business-focused equity court, the Court of Chancery, where specialized judges rather than juries rule on corporate disputes.

As Carney has six weeks before he must step down to be sworn in as the next mayor of Wilmington, he also announced a slate of other judicial re-appointments, which included Judge Eric Davis of the state Superior Court.

Davis is the chair of the Complex Commercial Division for Superior Court, and is tasked with overseeing activities in a court venue that handles complex business disputes with an amount more than $1 million.

In 2012, Davis was appointed to the superior court after serving on the bench on the Court of Common Pleas. His career also includes tenures at Miles & Stockbridge, P.C and multinational firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. His term was set to end at the end of this year.

Carney has also reappointed Judge Paula Terese Ryan to the Family Court in Sussex County; Commissioner Paraskevi Wolcott to Family Court in New Castle, and Commissioner Sonja Truitt Wilson to Family Court in Sussex County.