ALBANY, N.Y., April 5 (Reuters) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced the appointment of Karen Peters as the first female presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department.

The position has been vacant since December, when Anthony Cardona died. Thomas Mercure had been serving as acting presiding justice since Cardona was diagnosed with cancer early last year.

"In this new position, I look forward to continuing to ensure New York State's justice system protects all our residents so that everyone gets treated fairly, and is connected to the needs of our state's communities," Peters said in a statement.

Peters has served as a justice on the Third Department since 1994. She previously was a state Supreme Court Justice and an Ulster County Family Court judge. From 1979 to 1983, she was counsel to the state Office of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse.

Before that, Peters worked at the law firm of Peters and Weiner from 1973 to 1979 and did a brief stint as an assistant Dutchess County prosecutor.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The George Washington University in 1969 and her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law in 1972.

"Throughout her career Justice Peters has displayed incredible judgment and integrity through her public service to New York State," Cuomo said in a statement. "I have no doubt that she will continue to provide justice to New Yorkers with great distinction."

Peters was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.

(Reporting by Dan Wiessner)

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