Justice John V. Centra is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and received his Juris Doctor degree from Ohio Northern Law School. Following his admission to the Bar in 1984, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Onondaga County in the felony trial and DWI units. In 1988, he began a 10-year career as Town Justice for the Town of DeWitt. In 1989, he entered the private practice of law with Carni, Centra & Rose from 1989 to 1991; Primo, Primo & Centra from 1992 to 1997; and Primo, Primo, Centra & Kirwan, LLP from 1998 to 1999. In May 1999, Governor George Pataki appointed him to serve on the New York State Supreme Court in Onondaga County, and he was elected to that office for a term beginning in January 2000. While on the Supreme Court, Justice Centra served as Deputy Administrative Judge for the Fifth Judicial District and as Chairman of the Onondaga County Jury Board. He also served as a Judicial Delegate to the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. On October 6, 2006, Governor Pataki designated him to serve as an Additional Justice on the Appellate Division, Fourth Department. Justice Centra is a member of the New York Bar Association, a member and Past President of the New York State Magistrates Association, and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Until recently, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Syracuse Landmark Theater. He resides in Fayetteville with his wife and four children.
John V. Centra
