Mayor Bloomberg Swears In Thirty-eight Judges

February 6, 2013

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today swore in 38 judges to serve in the City’s Family, Criminal, and Civil Courts. The swearing-in ceremony included the appointment of six new Family Court judges, nine new Criminal Court judges, and six new Civil Court judges.  The Mayor also reappointed four Family Court judges, twelve Criminal Court judges, and one civil court judge. Mayor Bloomberg was joined by Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs Carol Robles-Román, Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo, Counselor to the Mayor Michael Best, and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary Desiree Kim at the swearing-in ceremony in the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank Building.

“The judges we are appointing today not only have outstanding legal and professional credentials they also have a thorough understanding of our city, our people, and the realities of the lives they lead,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Our administration takes pride in all we have done to preserve and enhance a process of appointing judges based on integrity, independence, and merit – a process first instituted by former Mayor Ed Koch. He called the judicial merit selection process one of the proudest achievements of his three terms as mayor and with the appointment of today’s judges we carry on his legacy of ensuring integrity on the bench.”

The Mayor swore in the following judges:

New Appointments
Family Court

Honorable Dean Kusakabe was appointed as a Family Court Judge in July 2012. He is a graduate of Emory University and received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Prior to his appointment, he served with the Legal Aid Society in the Juvenile Rights Division and was a solo practitioner specializing in family law. Judge Kusakabe resides in Queens.

Honorable Robert Mulroy was appointed to the Family Court in January 2013. He graduated from Fordham University and Fordham Law School. Prior to his appointment, he was a solo practitioner specializing in family law and was a Support Magistrate and subsequently Deputy Chief Magistrate of New York State Family Court. Judge Mulroy resides in Queens.

Honorable Peter Passidomo was appointed as a Family Court Judge in July 2012. He received his undergraduate degree from S.U.N.Y. at Albany and his law degree from Fordham Law School. He served with the New York State Unified Court System in various capacities including as Chief Court Attorney to the Administrative Judge of Family Court, Family Law Advisor to the Chief Administrative Judge, Chief Family Court Magistrate, and Chief Clerk of the New York City Family Courts. Judge Passidomo resides in the Bronx.

Honorable Valerie Pels was appointed to the Family Court in January 2013. She is a graduate of Duke University and Yale Law School. Prior to her appointment, she served with the Legal Aid Society in the Juvenile Rights Division and as Principal Law Clerk in the Youth Part and Integrated Domestic Violence Part of the Supreme Court. Judge Pels resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Joan Piccirillo was appointed to the Family Court in July 2012. She received her undergraduate degree from Waynesburg University and her law degree from Touro College School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she was in private practice for over 20 years specializing in family law and served as Principal Court Attorney in Family Court and Supreme Court. Judge Piccirillo resides in Queens.

Honorable Lillian Wan was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 2012 and has been serving in Family Court. She received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University and her law degree from Albany Law School. She worked for the New York City Administration for Children’s Services as Executive Agency Counsel and was a Court Attorney-Referee in Surrogate’s Court. Judge Wan resides in Brooklyn.

Criminal Court

Honorable Stephen Antignani was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 2012 and has been serving in Criminal Court. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his J.D. from Boston College Law School. He served with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office and was the Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Bureau and Chief of the Public Corruption Bureau of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Antignani resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Michelle Armstrong was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2011 and has been serving in Criminal Court.  She graduated from Hampton University and received her law degree from George Washington University, National Law Center.  She served with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for 11 years holding various positions including Executive Assistant District Attorney. Subsequently, she was a solo practitioner specializing in criminal defense. Judge Armstrong resides in Queens.

Honorable Curtis Farber was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 2012 and has been serving in Criminal Court.  He received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his law degree from Boston University School of Law. Prior to his appointment, he served with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and was a solo criminal defense practitioner for 20 years. Judge Farber resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Ernest Hart was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2013. He graduated from Fordham University and received his law degree from Villanova University. Prior to his appointment, he served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office and held various executive positions in the private and public sectors, including Chief of Staff/Special Counsel to the former Deputy Mayor for Policy and Education Dennis Walcott. Judge Hart resides in Queens. 

Honorable Steven Hornstein

Judge Hornstein was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2013. He graduated from S.U.N.Y. at Albany and received his law degree from New York Law School. He served with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and was a criminal defense attorney in private practice for over 20 years. Judge Hornstein resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Gia Morris was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2011 and has been serving in Criminal Court.  She received her undergraduate degree from Ithaca College and her law degree from Cardozo School of Law.  She was an associate for private law firms, a former prosecutor in Kings County, and held executive positions in city and state investigative agencies. Judge Morris resides in Queens.

Honorable Ann Scherzer was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2012 and has been serving in Criminal Court.  She graduated from the University of Michigan and received her law degree from Boston University School of Law.  Prior to her appointment, she served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Law Department, and the Appellate Division’s Departmental Disciplinary Committee. Judge Scherzer resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Steven Statsinger was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2013. He received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his law degree from Columbia University School of Law. Prior to his appointment, he served with the Legal Aid Society in the Criminal Appeals Bureau and the Federal Defender Division, and as a Supervisor and Training Director for the Federal Defenders of New York. Judge Statsinger resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Jane Tully was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2013. She graduated from New York University and Columbia University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she worked for the New York City Law Department, served as a Deputy Chief with the New York County District Attorney’s Office and Bureau Chief with the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Judge Tully resides in Brooklyn.

Civil Court

Honorable Marcelle Brandes was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2013 and has been serving in Family Court.  She graduated from Rutgers University and received her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.  She served with the New York State Unified Court System as a Court Attorney in Civil and Supreme Court, and as a Court Attorney Referee in Family Court. Judge Brandes resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Laura Johnson was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2013 and has been serving in Criminal Court. She received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College and her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the Legal Aid Society including as Attorney-in-Charge of the Criminal Appeals Bureau. She also served as an Assistant Solicitor General. Judge Johnson resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Laurie Peterson was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2013 and has been serving in Criminal Court. She graduated from Brandeis University and received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. She served with the Legal Aid Society as a Supervising Attorney, worked for Queens Law Associates, and was a Principal Court Attorney to a Supervising Judge of the Criminal Court. Judge Peterson resides in Queens.

Honorable Erik Pitchal was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2013 and has been serving in Family Court. He graduated from Brown University and received his law degree from Yale Law School. Prior to his appointment, he served with the Legal Aid Society in the Juvenile Rights Division, worked for Children’s Rights, and was the Director of the Child Advocacy Clinic at Suffolk University Law School. He was also a consultant in child welfare and juvenile justice. Judge Pitchal resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Julio Rodriguez was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2013 and has been serving in Criminal Court. He graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Temple School of Law. He served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office, and held executive positions with the New York City Department of Investigation and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Judge Rodriguez resides in the Bronx.

Honorable Raymond Rodriguez was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2013 and has been serving in Criminal Court. He received his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University and his law degree from Widener University School of Law. Prior to his appointment, he served with the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office and was a solo practitioner for almost nine years specializing in criminal defense, family law, and civil litigation. Judge Rodriguez resides in Staten Island.

Reappointments

Family Court

Honorable Michael Ambrosio, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Family Court in 1983 and was a Supervising Judge of Family Court. He received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Prior to his appointment, he last served as Deputy Director of the New York State Mental Hygiene Legal Services, First Department. Judge Ambrosio resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Ruben Martino, was appointed as a Family Court Judge in January 2003 and served as the Presiding Justice of the Harlem Community Justice Center. He graduated from Yale University and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.  He formerly served as a Housing Court Judge and was a Supervising Attorney of the Housing Unit, and Family and Consumer Unit at the Legal Aid Society. Judge Martino resides in the Bronx.

Honorable Gloria Sosa-Lintner was appointed to the Family Court in March 1988. She received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she last served as a Family Court Hearing Examiner. Judge Sosa-Lintner resides in Manhattan. 

Honorable Amanda White was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2011 and was subsequently appointed to the Family Court in December 2011. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and her law degree from New York University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she worked in the Legal Aid Society's Juvenile Rights Division for 18 years, having last served as an Attorney-in-Charge. Judge White resides in Manhattan.

Criminal Court

Honorable Miriam Best, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the bench as an Interim Civil Court Judge in June 2003. She was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in October 2005. She is a graduate of Yale University and received her J.D. from Yale Law School. She previously worked in the private sector and held senior counsel positions in the Kings County and New York County District Attorney's Offices, as well as in the United States Attorney's Office. Judge Best resides in Manhattan.

Honorable James Burke, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2001. He graduated from Georgetown University and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He was a former prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney's Office for 12 years. Judge Burke resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Richard Carruthers, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in February 1983. He received his undergraduate degree from Saint Bonaventure University, his law degree from Georgetown University Law School, and L.L.M. from New York University Law School. He was a prosecutor with the Kings County District Attorney's Office and served as Deputy Chief Counsel for the Office of the Deputy Attorney General for Medicaid Fraud Control. Judge Carruthers resides in Manhattan.

Honorable John Carter, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in July 2000. He received his undergraduate degree from City College of the City University of New York, and his law degree from Columbia Law School. He was a prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney’s Office and an associate at a private law firm. Judge Carter resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Joel Goldberg, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in July 1987. He graduated from Brown University and received his law degree from New York University School of Law. He served with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for 16 years. Judge Goldberg resides in Staten Island.

Honorable William Harrington, was appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2001. He graduated from Tufts University and received his law degree from George Washington University Law School. He was a Principal Law Clerk in the Supreme Court, and served with the Kings County and Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Harrington resides in Queens.

Honorable Alan Marrus, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in February 1983. He received his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and his J.D. from George Washington School of Law. He worked for the Kings County and Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, having last served as Chief of the Appeals Bureau. Judge Marrus resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Edward McLaughlin, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court bench in March 1983. He graduated from Fordham University and received his law degree from Georgetown Law Center. He was a prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney's Office and Deputy Director of the Liman Commission on the Administration of Criminal Justice. Judge McLaughlin resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Alan Meyer is currently the Supervising Judge of Richmond County Criminal Court. He graduated from Long Island University and received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. He served with the Legal Aid Society in the Criminal Defense Division and was the Chief of the Criminal Court Bureau of the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Meyer resides in Staten Island.

Honorable Patricia Nuñez, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court bench in October 1997. She received her undergraduate degree from Queens College and her law degree from Rutgers-Camden Law School. She served as a Law Assistant in Criminal and Supreme Court and as a prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney's Office. Judge Nuñez resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Joanne Quiñones, was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2010. She was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2011. She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her law degree from Fordham University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she served as a Court Attorney in Supreme, Criminal, and Civil Court. She was also with the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Division. Judge Quiñones resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable John Zoll was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2010. He was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2012. He received his undergraduate degree from Hofstra University and his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Principal Court Attorney and Supervising Court Attorney in Criminal Court. He was also a solo practitioner and a criminal defense attorney for Queens Law Associates and the Legal Aid Society. Judge Zoll resides in Queens.

Civil Court

Honorable Linda Tally was first appointed to the Family Court in August 2006. She received her undergraduate degree from Kirkland/Hamilton College and her law degree from Hofstra University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, Judge Tally worked in Family Court for nearly 23 years, having last served as a Referee. Judge Tally resides in Manhattan.

The Family Court of the State of New York in the City of New York has jurisdiction over the protection, treatment, correction, and commitment of minors in need due to neglect, delinquency, or dependency.  It also deals with the custody of minors, adoptions, support of dependents, establishment of paternity, proceedings of conciliation, and guardianship.  The Family Court of the State of New York is comprised of 47 judges, appointed by the Mayor for 10-year terms in counties within the City of New York.

The New York City Criminal Court is a court of citywide criminal jurisdiction with authority over crimes and other violations of law.  The Criminal Court is comprised of 107 judges, appointed by the Mayor for 10-year terms.

The New York City Civil Court is a court of citywide civil jurisdiction with authority over the actions and proceedings for the recovery of money, the recovery of chattels, and liens on personal property where the amount sought to be recovered or the value of property does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.  New York City Civil Court judges are elected; however, the Mayor has the power to appoint interim Civil Court judges to fill vacancies arising on the Civil Court after the election in November.  These interim Civil Court judges serve until the vacancies can be filled in the next year’s election, but they are usually assigned to sit in Family or Criminal Court.

All appointments and re-appointments made by the Mayor were nominated by the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.  The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary nominates three candidates for each vacant judgeship, and the Mayor selects judges from among that group.  For re-appointments, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee recommends whether or not to reappoint each judge, and the Mayor then decides whether to make the reappointment.  All of the judges appointed and re-appointed have also been found qualified by the Judiciary Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. All nominations were reviewed by Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs Carol Robles-Román, Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo, Chief Policy Advisor and Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt and Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gil Hearn.