Civil Court Judges

Judge Jacqueline Cabrera was appointed to the Interim Civil Court in June 2025 and is serving in Family Court. She received her undergraduate degree from Queens College and her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Judge Cabrera started her legal career as an Associate Attorney for a private firm that represented a foster care agency before establishing her own private practice. Apart from also serving as a New York City Impartial Hearing Officer, Judge Cabrera was a member of the Assigned Counsel (18b) Panel and Attorney for the Child Program in her capacity as a private practitioner. She maintained this practice for nearly 20 years before joining the New York State Unified Court System as a Support Magistrate in Family Court, Richmond County. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was serving in this capacity in Family Court, Kings County. Appointed June 2025.

Judge Lauren Norton-Lerner was appointed to the Interim Civil Court in June 2025 and is serving in Family Court. She received her undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University, cum laude, and her J.D. from Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law. Judge Norton-Lerner started her legal career as an Investigative Attorney with the United States Department of Labor, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration before leaving to join the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), Division of Legal Services as an Attorney Level III/ Team Leader. After nearly 4 years with ACS, Judge Norton-Lerner then joined a series of private firms before beginning to serve with the New York State Unified Court System as a Court Attorney in Family Court, Queens County. Judge Norton-Lerner then became a Court Attorney Referee in both Family Court, Bronx and Queens Counties for 13 years until her appointment to the bench. Appointed June 2025.

Judge Grace Oboma-Layat was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in April 2023 and has been serving in Family Court. She received her B.A. from Smith College and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Law. Judge Oboma-Layat joined The Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Practice shortly after graduating from law school. She served as a Staff Attorney, for 19 years, in child protective, termination of parental rights and custody and visitation proceedings, prior to her appointment to the bench. Appointed April 2023. Reappointed January 2024 and January 2025.

Judge Erik Pinsonnault was appointed to the Interim Civil Court in June 2025 and is serving in Family Court. He received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the SUNY at Plattsburgh and his law degree from the University of the District of Columbia, summa cum laude. Judge Pinsonnault started his legal career working at private firms before joining the New York State Unified Court System as an Appellate Court Attorney. He then became a Principal Law Clerk, serving for 7 years in the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department. Judge Pinsonnault then joined the New York State Office of the Attorney General as an Assistant Attorney General for 5 years before returning to the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department as a Principal Appellate Court Attorney. Prior to his appointment, he last served as a Senior Principal Law Clerk. Appointed June 2025.

Judge Scott Schwartz was appointed to the Interim Civil Court in June 2025 and is serving in Family Court. He received his undergraduate degree from the SUNY at Albany and his law degree from Cardozo Law School. Judge Schwartz started his legal career as an Associate with a private firm before joining the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, where he served for 5 years. He then went on to establish his own practice where he was on the Assigned Counsel Plans for both Attorneys for Children and the Felony Panel. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Schwartz had maintained his solo practice for 20 years. Appointed June 2025.

Judge Philip Tisne was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2025 and has been serving in Criminal Court. He received his undergraduate degree from Middlebury College and his law degree from Fordham University Law School. Judge Tisne served as a Law Clerk in both the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In between his terms as Law Clerk, he worked as a Litigation Associate for a private firm for 6 years. He then went on to join the Office of the New York Solicitor General as an Assistant Solicitor General, where he served for 4 years. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was an Assistant District Attorney in the Appeals Division of the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Appointed January 2025.