Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today swore in 35 judges to serve in the City's Family, Criminal, and Civil Courts. The swearing-in ceremony included the appointment of three new Family Court judges, six new Criminal Court judges, and three new Civil Court judges. The Mayor also reappointed two Family Court judges, nineteen Criminal Court judges, and two Civil Court judges. Mayor Bloomberg was joined by former Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals Judith Kaye, and Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs Carol Robles-Román at the swearing-in ceremony in the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank Building.

"In our society of laws, we rely on our judges to interpret and administer those laws in order to protect the safety of our city, the rights of our citizens and the health and safety of our children," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The judges taking the oath of office today have demonstrated they possess the training, experience, temperament, and character essential to exercising those responsibilities wisely. I am confident the judicial system and the public will be well served by the men and women being sworn in today."

The Mayor swore in the following judges:

New Appointments

Family Court

Honorable Alan Beckoff was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2008 and has been serving in the Family Court. He is a graduate of Lafayette College and received his J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. For 21 years, he worked for the New York City Law Department, serving as Deputy Borough Chief in the Family Court Division and as Senior Counsel in the Appeals Division. He resides in Queens.

Honorable Jeanette Ruiz was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 2007 and has been serving in the Family Court. Judge Ruiz received her undergraduate degree from Hunter College, master's degree from Columbia University's School of Social Work, and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to her appointment, Judge Ruiz served as General Counsel to the Harlem Dowling West Side Center for Children and Family Services and as the Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Family Permanency Services at the New York City Administration for Children's Services. She resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Carol Sherman was appointed as a Family Court Judge in May 2008. She is a graduate of the University of Rochester and received her J.D. from Harvard Law School. She worked for the Legal Aid Society for 26 years, where she last served as Deputy Attorney-in-Charge of the Juvenile Rights Division. She was also the Founder and Executive Director of the Children's Law Center. She resides in Manhattan.

Criminal Court

Honorable Lenora Gerald was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2008 and has been serving in the Criminal Court. She was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in 2001 and was appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2003. She was then appointed to the Supreme Court by former Governor Spitzer in June 2007. Gerald received her undergraduate and law degrees from St. John's University. She resides in Queens.

Honorable Gilbert Hong was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 2007 and has been serving in the Criminal Court. Judge Hong received his undergraduate degree from Columbia College and his J.D. from Cornell Law School. He served with the New York County District Attorney's Office, NYC's Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, and was the Criminal Law Liaison for the United States Department of Justice/American Bar Association's Criminal Law Reform Project in Moscow, Russia. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Barry Kamins was appointed as a Criminal Court Judge in September 2008. Judge Kamins received his undergraduate degree from Columbia College and his J.D. from Rutgers University. He served with the Kings County District Attorney's Office and was a partner in a criminal defense firm. Judge Kamins previously served as the President of the New York City Bar, the Brooklyn Bar Association, and the Kings County Criminal Bar Association. He resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Kevin McGrath was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2008 and has been serving in the Criminal Court. Judge McGrath graduated from the Catholic University of America and received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. For 15 years, he worked for the Kings County District Attorney's Office, where he last served as the Bureau Chief of the Criminal Court Bureau. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Felicia Mennin was appointed as a Criminal Court Judge in February 2008. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her J.D. from Columbia University Law School. She was a litigation associate at several private law firms, served with the New York County District Attorney's Office, and was an Inspector General at the New York City Department of Investigation. Prior to her appointment, she served as Special Counsel to the Conflicts of Interest Board. She resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Marc Whiten was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 2007 and had been serving in the Criminal Court. Judge Whiten graduated from Carroll College and received his J.D. from New York Law School. His legal career includes service with the Bronx County District Attorney's Office and with a private law firm. He resides in the Bronx.

Civil Court

Honorable David Godosky was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2009 and has been serving in the Criminal Court. Judge Godosky received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College and his law degree from Cornell Law School. He served with the Bronx County District Attorney's Office and was most recently an associate at a private law firm. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Ronald Richter was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2009 and has been serving in the Family Court. Judge Richter graduated from Tufts University, received his law degree from Boston University School of Law, and a master's degree from Boston University College of Communication. Judge Richter most recently served as the Family Services Coordinator for the Office of the Mayor. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Administration for Children's Services. He also worked for the Legal Aid Society for nearly 14 years, where he last served as Deputy Attorney-in-Charge of the Juvenile Rights Division. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Michael Yavinsky was appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2009 and has been serving in the Criminal Court. Judge Yavinsky received his undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and his law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. Judge Yavinsky was formerly with the Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Division, Queens Law Associates, and the New York State Unified Court System where he last served as Chief Court Attorney for New York City Criminal Court. He resides in Queens.

Reappointments

Family Court

Honorable Fran Lubow was first appointed to the Family Court in December 1990. She graduated from the City University of New York and received her law degree from Syracuse University. Judge Lubow formerly served with the Department of Probation, the Law Department's Family Court Division, and the New York City Human Resources Administration. She resides in Queens.

Honorable Helene Sacco was first appointed to the Family Court in August 2006. She received both her undergraduate and law school degrees from St. John's University. Judge Sacco previously served as the court attorney to the Supervising Judge of Richmond County's Civil Court for almost 10 years. She was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at St. John's University. She resides in Staten Island.

Criminal Court

Honorable Steven Barrett, currently serving as an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in February 1983. He received his bachelor's degree from Colgate University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He was an appellate attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as well as the Legal Aid Society. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable A. Kirke Bartley, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in April 1997. He graduated from John Jay College and received his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law. He formerly served with the Queens County District Attorney's Office for 17 years where he ultimately became the Chief of the Supreme Court Bureau. Judge Bartley resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Carol Berkman, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in 1979. She received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. Judge Berkman previously served as an appellate attorney at the Legal Aid Society and was also an associate for private law firms. She resides in Manhattan.

Honorable John Cataldo, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in June 1989. He graduated from City College and received his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law. Judge Cataldo previously served with the New York City Department of Social Services and with the Legal Aid Society. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Danny Chun, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in May 1999. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University and received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. He previously served for 12 years with the New York County District Attorney's Office. Judge Chun resides in Queens.

Honorable Abraham Clott was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2007. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and his J.D. from New York University School of Law. Prior to his appointment, Judge Clott served with the Legal Aid Society in the Criminal Appeals Bureau and the Federal Defender Division. He was also an associate for a private firm as well as a law clerk to a federal judge. Judge Clott resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Joseph Dawson, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in May 1999. He received his undergraduate degree and J.D. from St. John's University. Judge Dawson previously served with the New York County District Attorney's Office and was a former associate at a private law firm and law clerk to a federal judge. He resides in the Bronx.

Honorable Arlene Goldberg was first appointed to the Criminal Court in August 1991. She graduated from Hunter College and received her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. She previously served with the Legal Aid Society and was a court attorney to a Criminal Court Judge. She resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Joseph Gubbay, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in April 1999. He graduated from Tufts University and received his J.D. from New York University School of Law. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Mayor's Commission to Combat Police Corruption, and as an Inspector General for the NYC Department of Investigation. He resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Diane Kiesel, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in April 1999. She graduated from Douglass College, received a master's degree from American University, and received her J.D. from Catholic University. She previously served as the Deputy Chief of the Child Abuse Bureau for the New York County District Attorney's Office and was a law clerk to a federal judge. She resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Gene Lopez was first appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2001. He graduated from American University and received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. Judge Lopez formerly served as the Executive Director of the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, Inspector General for the NYC Housing Authority, and Administrative Hearing Judge for the Department of Sanitation. He also worked for the Kings County District Attorney's Office. He resides in Queens.

Honorable Deborah Stevens Modica currently serving as the Supervising Judge of Queens County Criminal Court, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in 1997. She graduated from Thomas More College and received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Judge Modica served as a Bureau Chief at the Queens County District Attorney's Office and as an Executive Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney's Office. She resides in Queens.

Honorable Suzanne Mondo was appointed to the Criminal Court in May 1999. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University and her J.D. from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. Judge Mondo was previously in private practice and served with the United States Department of Justice as well as the Kings County District Attorney's Office. She resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Sheryl Parker, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in June 1989. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont, her master's degree from Pace University, and her J.D. from St. John's University School of Law. She formerly served as a Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Department of Investigation, an Assistant Commissioner for the NYC Department of Finance, and with the New York County District Attorney's Office. She resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Ann Pfau, currently the Chief Administrative Judge for the New York State Unified Court System, was appointed to the Criminal Court in 1999. She graduated from Wells College and received her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. Judge Pfau has served with the court system for 24 years, holding previous positions as First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Management Support, and Administrative Judge. She resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Neil Ross, currently the Deputy Supervising Judge of New York County Criminal Court, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in April 1999. Judge Ross graduated from Dickinson College and received his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law. He previously served with the United States Attorney's Office and the Kings County District Attorney's Office. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Toko Serita was first appointed to the Criminal Court in October 2005. She is a graduate of Vassar College and received her J.D. from City University of New York Law School. Prior to her appointment, Judge Serita served as the Executive Assistant to the Administrative Judge of Queens County Supreme Court, and has worked in a variety of capacities in the New York State Unified Court System since 1999. She also served with the Legal Aid Society, Criminal Appeals Bureau, from 1989 through 1999. She resides in Queens.

Honorable John Walsh, currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in June 1989. He graduated from Manhattan College and received his J.D. from New York Law School. Judge Walsh was previously a solo practitioner and served with the NYC Police Department as a patrol officer and attorney. He resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Alvin Yearwood was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2003. He is a graduate of Lafayette College and received his J.D. from Boston University School of Law. He spent most of his career at the Bronx County District Attorney's Office. He resides in Manhattan.

Civil Court

Honorable Robert Kalish was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in October 2005. He has been presiding in Criminal Court and previously in Civil Court. Judge Kalish is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, and his L.L.M. in tax law from New York University Law School. Judge Kalish's legal career includes nearly 30 years of public service with the Law Department where he last served as the Chief of Brooklyn's Tort Division. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Mary O'Donoghue was appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2004. She is a graduate of Manhattanville College, received a master's degree from Long Island University, and received her J.D. from St. John's University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, Judge O'Donoghue served for eight years as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. She resides in Queens.

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 and Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt.