The 1st District Appellate Court last month promoted its interim clerk Thomas D. Palella to the position on a permanent basis.Palella takes over for Steven M. Ravid, who held the position for 16 years and retired on May 31.“I’m glad the court has entrusted me with it,” Palella said of his appointment to clerk. “I’m working with a good set of judges here, and I’ve always had.”Palella was one of three candidates all 24 justices of the 1st District interviewed on Aug. 15, according to …