The Most Famous Signature In New York

The most famous signature in New York does not belong to Mickey Mantle or Joe Namath. No that title rests with Norman Goodman, the clerk of New York County-Manhattan for 45 years. Norman died a few weeks ago at the age of 95 and several op-edswere written to commemorate his life and his impact on the New York City jury system, including one by the New York Times.

How did Norman Goodman’s signature become so famous, or in his words “notorious”? It was on the left-hand corner of every jury summonses sent out in Manhattan for the past century (it is estimated he issued between 11 and 12 million). Mr. Goodman was one of New York City’s longest serving public employees holding his position of county clerk from 1969 until his retirement at the end of 2014 (when he was 91). His signature became so well known among New Yorkers many didn’t think he was a real person. He would have to introduce himself by saying “I’m Norman Goodman. I exist.” Even though most people knew his signature few knew his true impact on the New York City jury system. 

Manhattan has more jury trials each year than anywhere in New York and it was Mr. Goodman and his offices job to staff every civil and criminal state trial in the borough. This was no small task. Mr. Goodman had a staff of over 100 who helped him issue an average of 6,000 jury summonses a week. Under his direction the Manhattan juries grew more diverse. He was the one who fought to eliminate professional exemptions for member of 22 trades including doctors and lawyers. Once these exemptions were eliminated everyone was expected to serve. Rudolph Giuliani was on a jury while he was mayor of New York and Mr. Goodman himself served on at least one jury. This is the ultimate sign of Mr. Goodman “practicing what he preaches” since he became well known for his responses to people’s excuses for trying to get out of jury duty. In 1986 the New York Timesreported on one of these exchanges when one man told him that God would not allow him to sit on a jury because the Bible says “Judge not, lest you be judged” to that Mr. Goodman replied that Jesus was also the one who said “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. And I’m Caesar.” 

Mr. Goodman also helped modernize the jury system. He computerized jury selection and had thousands of historical documents (like letters from Alexander Hamilton’s law office) put on microfilm to better preserve them. To honor these achievements the jury assembly room was named after Mr. Goodman in 2008. Even though he is no longer with us today millions of New Yorkers will remember his signature, and perhaps now that they know a little more about his service they will remember him with pride and honor and not the typical dread we have when we see that jury summonses.