Two big names in the Delaware bar, Joel Friedlander and Joseph R. Slights III are vying to take the place of Vice Chancellor John W. Noble in his seat in the Delaware Chancery Court after his retirement. The choice or the position is to be made by Governor Jack Markell.
After 15 years at the bench, Vice Chancellor Noble is officially stepping down and a state panel has submitted Friedlander and Slight's names as the next in line.Considered as one of the most influential business courts, the Chancery Court hear cases regarding mergers, proxy fights, and corporate and commercial disputes, as reported by Wall Street Journal.
Friedlander and Slights are from private practice although Slight previously worked as a judge in Delaware's Superior Court for cases in Complex Commercial Litigation Division. According to Law 360, Slights is currently a partner at Morris James LLP.
Slights was also a former adjunct professor at Widener University School of Law. He also served as a liaison between the Judicial Division and Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. According to Delaware Online, Slights graduated from James Madison University and finished his law degree from Lee University School of Law.
Meanwhile, Friedlander is a big name in the corporate law scene and is currently working at Friedlander & Gorris PA. He was Chancellor Andre G. Bouchard's law partner at Bourchard Margules & Friedlander for PA for 20 years.
Among his latest victory is his win in the popular case of Rural/Metro Corp. merger against RBC Capital Markets for $76 million over the bank's M&A advice He graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and finished his law degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Law.
Governor Markell is set to choose between the two, after which the decision will be forwarded to the Delaware Senate where its confirmation would be voted on. Vice Chancellor Noble's retirement will be effective on February 26.
