The Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, ex officio the Chief Judge of New York, supervises the seven-judge New York Court of Appeals. In addition, the chief judge oversees the work of the state's Unified Court system, which as of 2009, had a $2.5 billion annual budget and more than 16,000 employees. The chief judge is also chair of the Administrative Board of the Courts and a member of the Judicial Conference of the State of New York. The chief judge appoints the Chief Administrator of the Courts with the advice and consent of the board.
Until 1847 the most senior judge in the state was the Chancellor of New York. That position was abolished in 1847 when the court system was re-organized, and the Chief Judge succeeded the Chancellor as the head of the state's judicial system.
An amendment to the New York Constitution, adopted in November 1869, re-organized the Court of Appeals. The first judges were to be elected at a special statewide election to take office on July 4, 1870.
After 1974, judges of the New York Court of Appeals were no longer elected, following reforms to the New York Constitution. Instead, an appointment process was created.