Valihura becomes second woman on Del. Supreme Court

WILMINGTON – Karen Knox Valihura was sworn in Friday at the New Castle County Courthouse as a Delaware Supreme Court justice, becoming only the second woman in the court's history to serve in that position.

Marking the historic occasion, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second female justice on the nation's highest court, sent along a letter of congratulations that was read at the hour-long ceremony.

When Valihura, 51, took her position on the dais with the other justices, the court for the first time had two female justices. That however, will end in September when the court's first female justice, Carolyn Berger, retires.

Before she was named to the bench by Gov. Jack Markell, Valihura had been a longtime attorney and partner at the Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom firm in Wilmington.

She was praised Friday for her long history in commercial and corporate law in Delaware.

Chief Justice Leo Strine, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School with Valihura in 1988, said that the state's newest justice will bring years of litigation experience, from across the country both in state and federal courts, to the bench.

"Don't let her kind and soft-spoken demeanor fool you," Strine said. "Karen's tough."

In introducing Valihura, Markell described her as representing "the best of the legal community in Delaware."

Strine administered the oath of office to Valihura, and her nieces Tara Knox, Monica Knox and Christina Knox assisted Valihura in putting on the black robe for the first time.

In her brief comments, Valihura thanked Markell, her family, her former law firm colleagues and the many teachers she has had over the years.

"I'm excited by the opportunity to work hard," she said.

Contact Sean O'Sullivan at (302) 324-2777 or sosullivan@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @SeanGOSullivan