Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today swore in 25 judges to serve in the City’s Family, Criminal, and Civil Courts. The swearing-in ceremony included the appointment of two new Family Court judges, three new Criminal Court judges, and three new Civil Court judges.  The Mayor also reappointed four Family Court judges, and thirteen Criminal Court judges. Mayor Bloomberg was joined by Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs Carol Robles-Román, Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Committee on the Judiciary Desiree Kim at the swearing-in ceremony in the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank Building.

“The integrity, independence, and overall excellence of the judges we have appointed during this Administration, has played an important role in making the safest big city in the nation even safer and making our judicial system more effective and humane,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The judges being appointed today face enormous challenges as they help safeguard our city from crime; stabilize families broken apart by domestic violence; and protect children who have been abused or neglected. But there is no doubt that they will rise to the challenges ahead and help ensure a safer and more just city for all New Yorkers.”

The Mayor swore in the following judges:

New Appointments

Family Court

Honorable Sarah Cooper was appointed as a Family Court Judge in January 2012.  She is a graduate of SUNY Binghamton and received her law degree from Cardozo School of Law.  Prior to her appointment, she practiced in Family Court for 15 years, having worked for the Administration for Children’s Services and as a Court Attorney Referee in Family Court.  She resides in the Bronx.

Honorable Amanda White was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2011 and has been serving in Family Court. 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 the Attorney-in-Charge of the Bronx Office.  Judge White resides in Manhattan.

Criminal Court

Honorable John Hecht was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2011 and has been serving in Criminal Court. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale College and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law. He served as a Principal Court Attorney in Supreme Court, Criminal Term, was a Supervising Attorney for the Legal Aid Society, and was a litigation associate for private law firms. Judge Hecht resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Charles Troia was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2010 and has been serving in Criminal Court.  He received his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University and his J.D. from St. John’s University Law School. He served as a Principal Court Attorney in Supreme Court, Criminal Term, he was a senior trial attorney for a law firm, and he worked in the New York City Law Department’s Tort Division. Judge Troia resides in Staten Island.

Honorable John Zoll was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2010 and has been serving in Criminal Court.  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 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 Michelle Armstrong was 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 eleven years holding various positions including Executive Assistant District Attorney. Subsequently, she was a solo practitioner specializing in criminal defense work. Judge Armstrong resides in Brooklyn.

Honorable Gia Morris was 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 a private law firm, served with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, and held high-level positions with the New York City Department of Investigation, the New York State Banking Department, and the New York City Department of Correction.  Judge Morris resides in Queens.

Honorable Ann Scherzer was 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.

Reappointments

Family Court

Honorable Alan Beckoff was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in September 2008.  He was subsequently appointed to the Family Court in December 2008.  He is a graduate of Lafayette College and received his J.D. from SUNY 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 Susan Danoff was first appointed to the bench in August 2004 as an Interim Civil Court Judge.  She was subsequently appointed to the Family Court in December 2004. She is a graduate of Fordham University and received her law degree from Cardozo School of Law. She was a Court Attorney Referee at the Kings County Family Court. Judge Danoff resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Anne-Marie Jolly was appointed as a Family Court Judge in September 2010. She graduated from Boston University and received her law degree from Albany Law School. Judge Jolly served with the Office of Court Administration in various capacities including Counsel and Chief of Staff to the Administrative Judge of New York City Family Court.  She was also previously with the Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Division for eight years. Judge Jolly resides in Queens.

Honorable Marybeth Richroath was appointed to the Family Court in December 2001. She graduated from Fordham University and received her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. Judge Richroath served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Department of Investigation, the New York City Trade Waste Commission, and served as Deputy Criminal Justice Coordinator. She resides in Queens.

Criminal Court

Honorable Peter Benitez, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in December 1989.  He graduated from Columbia College and received his law degree from Columbia University School of Law. Judge Benitez previously served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office for almost 15 years, the New York City Department of Investigation, and as the New York City Criminal Justice Coordinator. Judge Benitez resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Denis Boyle, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in August 1991. He received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and his law degree from Fordham University School of Law. He served as a law clerk to a Supreme Court Judge, Criminal Term, for 13 years.  He resides in the Bronx.

Honorable Laura Drager, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in May 1987.  She was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in November 1987. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and her law degree from Columbia University School of Law. She was previously an associate for a private law firm, and worked with the New York County and Kings County District Attorney’s Office, having last served as Chief of the Rackets Bureau. Judge Drager resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Thomas Farber, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in December 1995.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California and his law degree from Harvard Law School. Judge Farber began his legal career as an associate with a private firm and subsequently served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Farber resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Jo Ann Ferdinand, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in March 1986.  She was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in February 1987.  Judge Ferdinand received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and her J.D. from New York University School of Law.  She was previously with the Legal Aid Society and served as Deputy Commissioner of Trials for the New York City Department of Sanitation. She resides in Brooklyn. 

Honorable Roger Hayes, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in July 1985.  He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his J.D. from New York University School of Law.  He worked for private law firms and served with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, and as Deputy United States Attorney, Southern District of New York.  Judge Hayes resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Judith Lieb, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 1999. She was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2004. She graduated from Yale University and received her law degree from Michigan Law School. She was a litigation associate for a private firm and served with the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.  Judge Lieb resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Seth Marvin, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in July 2000.  He is a graduate of SUNY Albany and received his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law.  Judge Marvin was a litigation associate for a private firm and served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.  He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Felicia Mennin was appointed to the Criminal Court in February 2008. She graduated from Princeton University and received her law degree from Columbia University Law School.  Judge Mennin practiced litigation at several private firms, served with the New York County District Attorney's Office, and held high-level positions at the New York City Department of Investigation and the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board.  She resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Leonard Rienzi, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 1983. He is currently the Supervising Judge of Supreme Court, Criminal Term in Richmond County. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.  He spent his entire legal career with the New York County District Attorney’s Office where he last served as Administrative Assistant District Attorney.  Judge Rienzi resides in Staten Island.

Honorable Michael Sonberg, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in August 1991.  He was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in April 1995. He received his undergraduate degree from Queens College and his law degree from Harvard Law School.  Judge Sonberg practiced litigation at several private firms before his appointment to the bench. He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Robert Stolz, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in June 1995.  He was subsequently appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2002.  He graduated from Columbia College and received his law degree from Fordham University School of Law.  Judge Stolz worked for private law firms and served as a federal prosecutor for the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.  He resides in Manhattan.

Honorable Douglas Wong, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in August 1992.  He graduated from New York University and received his law degree from New York Law School.  He served with the New York State Unified Court System for over 14 years including as Principal Court Attorney. Judge Wong 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, Chief Policy Advisor and Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt and Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gil Hearn.