The Historical Society of the New York Courts maintains biographies of retired Appellate Division, Second Department Associate Justices and retired and sitting Presiding Justices, which are updated infrequently. For biographies of the current jurists, please visit the Second Department’s website.
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Thomas A. Adams
A native of Long Island, NY, Justice Thomas A. Adams was born on January 17, 1948 in Mineola and raised ...
Frank F. Adel
Justice Frank F. Adel was born in 1885 in New York. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, he was admitted ...
Raymond E. Aldrich
Justice Raymond E. Aldrich, the son of Elbert and Melissa Aldrich (nee Finn) was born September 28, 1888 in Poughkeepsie, ...
Myriam J. Altman
"An immigrant who reached the top ranks of her profession" (Saxon). Justice Myriam J. Altman was born Myriam Jarblum on ...
Daniel D. Angiolillo
Daniel D. Angiolillo presently serves as jurist-inresidence at Pace University Law School teaching constitutional law seminars in Election Law, and ...
Leonard B. Austin
Judicial Offices Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department Appointed March 19, 2009 by Gov. David A. Patterson; retired ...
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Ruth C. Balkin
Judicial Offices Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department Appointed December 22, 2006 by Gov. George E. Pataki; retired ...
Willard Bartlett
In 1906, Judge Bartlett was appointed to the Court of Appeals. See his biography HERE ...
George Bedlock
Justice George J. Beldock was born in 1903 in Poland, where he lived until the age of two when he ...
Ariel E. Belen
Justice Ariel E. Belen graduated from Brooklyn College in 1978 and earned his J.D. with a specialization in International Legal ...
A. David Benjamin
"He became active in the Republican Party's Brooklyn organization early in his career as a lawyer, establishing himself as an ...
Abel E. Blackmar
Justice Abel E. Blackmar was born in Newark, NY in 1852. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1874 and received ...
Seymour Boyers
Justice Seymour Boyers was born on October 9, 1926 in Queens, NY. He graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School ...
Lawrence J. Bracken
Justice Lawrence J. Bracken was born on June 12, 1931 in Hempstead, NY. He graduated from Roslyn High School in ...
George B. Bradley
Justice George B. Bradley was born on February 5, 1825 in Greene, NY. From 1872 to 1873 he was a ...
Arthur D. Brennan
Justice Arthur D. Brennan was born on August 29, 1899 in Mount Vernon, NY. He graduated from Mount Vernon High ...
Richard Brown
Justice Richard A. Brown was born in Brooklyn and grew up in the Cambria Heights neighborhood of Queens, NY. He ...
Charles F. Brown
"While occupying the seat upon the Court of Appeals bench, Justice Brown . . . wrote the prevailing opinion in ...
Joseph A. Burr
Justice Joseph A. Burr was born in Brooklyn in 1850, a descendant of Peter Burr, once a Chief Justice of ...
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Edward Carni
Edward D. Carni graduated from SUNY Cortland in 1982 with a BA in Political Science. He earned his Juris Doctor ...
William J. Carr
Speaking to graduates at the St. Francis Xavier's College 1901 commencement, Carr said: "There can be no true success at ...
William B. Carswell
Justice William B. Carswell was born on January 8, 1883 in Edinburgh, Scotland to David Bruce and Ann Brown Carswell ...
Marcus G. Christ
Justice Marcus G. Christ was born on April 7, 1900, the son of Philip J. Christ, a Supervisor of the ...
Frederick P. Close
Justice Frederick P. Close was born in 1875 in South Colton, St. Lawrence County. He was educated at the State ...
Jeffrey A. Cohen
Judicial Offices Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department Appointed December 9, 2010 by Gov. David A. Patterson; retired ...
John Copertino
Justice John Copertino was born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, where he worked in his father's fish store as ...
Joseph Covello
JUDICIAL OFFICES Associate Justice, Appellate Division Second Judicial Department August 2005 to September 2011 Associate Justice, Appellate Term Ninth and ...
Barry A. Cozier
Justice Barry A. Cozier earned a B.A. degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1971 ...
Stephen G. Crane
Justice Stephen G. Crane earned a B.S. degree from Cornell University in 1960 and a J.D. degree from Cornell Law ...
Edgar M. Cullen
In 1900, Judge Cullen was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Theodore Roosevelt. See his full biography HERE ...
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Vincent D. Damiani
Justice Vincent D. Damiani was raised in Brooklyn and earned a B.S. degree from New York University in 1934 and ...
Rowland L. Davis
Justice Davis also sat on the bench of the 3rd and 4th Departments; more information can be found HERE and ...
Thomas A. Dickerson
Judicial Offices Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department 2006-2017 Justice, New York State Supreme Court 2003-2017 Westchester County Court Judge, ...
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Geraldine T. Eiber
Justice Geraldine T. Eiber earned her J.D. from the New York University School of Law and worked in private practice ...
Randall T. Eng
Judicial Offices Presiding Justice - Appellate Division, Second Department Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo October 1st, 2012 Associate Justice - ...
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Sandra J. Feuerstein
Justice Sandra J. Feuerstein was born in 1946, the daughter of Immigration Judge Annette Elstein. After earning a B.S. from ...
Steven W. Fisher
Justice Steven W. Fisher was born on May 19, 1946 in Manhattan and lived most of his life in Queens ...
Anita R. Florio
Justice Anita R. Florio earned degrees from Manhattanville College in 1958 and Fordham University School of Law in 1963, the ...
William D. Friedmann
William D. Friedmann graduated from Hunter College of the City University of New York before earning his law degree from ...
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William J. Gaynor
Justice William J. Gaynor was born in Whitestown, Oneida County, NY in 1851 to a farming family. He attended the ...
David T. Gibbons
Justice David T. Gibbons was born in Brooklyn. He earned degrees from St. John's University and St. John's University School ...
Gloria Goldstein
Justice Gloria Goldstein earned a B.A. degree from Brooklyn College in 1953 and graduated first in her class from Brooklyn ...
William W. Goodrich
Justice William W. Goodrich was born on August 23, 1833 in Havana, NY. He graduated from Amherst College in 1852 ...
Frank A. Gulotta
Justice Frank A. Gulotta studied law at St. John's University Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1932 ...
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William F. Hagarty
Justice William F. Hagarty was born in 1877 in Dayton, Ohio and moved to Brooklyn at the age of 11 ...
L. Priscilla Hall
Judicial Offices March 2009 - 2018 - Associate Justice, Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department February 2008 to March 2009 - ...
James T. Hallinan
Justice James T. Hallinan was born in New York on June 1, 1889. He earned his law degree from New ...
Edward J. Hart
Justice Edward J. Hart earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at St. John's University. Before joining the bench, he ...
Stanley Harwood
Justice Stanley Harwood was born in Brooklyn. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II, then earned ...
Edward W. Hatch
Justice Hatch also served on the bench of the 1st Department; more information can be found HERE. Justice Edward W ...
Joseph F. Hawkins
Justice Joseph F. Hawkins, a native of Poughkeepsie, NY, was born in 1916 and attended St. Peter's grammar and high ...
Barron L. Hill
Justice L. Barron Hill earned a law degree from Syracuse University Law School and began practicing in Southold, Long Island ...
Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix
Judicial Offices Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department Appointed November 5, 2012 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, redesignated January ...
Michael H. Hirschberg
Justice Michael H. Hirschberg was born on April 12, 1847 in Newburgh. He attended Newburgh Free Academy and at the ...
Warren Hooker
Justice Warren B. Hooker was born on November 24, 1856 in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, NY. He was educated in public ...
James D. Hopkins
Justice James D. Hopkins studied at Columbia College before earning a law degree from Columbia University School of Law in ...
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Vincent R. Balletta, Jr.
Justice Vincent R. Balletta, Jr. was born on July 7, 1927 in Brookyln and grew up on Long Island. He ...
John P. Cohalan, Jr.
Justice John P. Cohalan Jr., born in 1907, was raised in New York City and educated at LaSalle Military Academy ...
Walter H. Jaycox
Justice Walter H. Jaycox was born on September 3, 1863 in Wassaic, Dutchess County, NY. Following the death of his ...
Almet F. Jenks
Justice Almet F. Jenks was born on May 21, 1853 in Brooklyn. His father, Grenville T. Jenks, was a lawyer, ...
John B. Johnston
Justice John B. Johnston was born on July 10, 1882 in Glasgow, Scotland. His family immigrated to Brooklyn in 1886 ...
Daniel W. Joy
Justice Daniel W. Joy graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 1952 and Brooklyn Law School ...
George H. Taylor, Jr.
Justice George H. Taylor, Jr. was born on April 22, 1873 in Westport, Connecticut. Educated at public grammar schools, he ...
Vito J. Titone, Jr.
In 1985, Judge Titone was appointed to the Court of Appeals. See his full biography HERE ...
Henry G. Wenzel, Jr.
Justice Henry G. Wenzel Jr. was born around the year 1889 in Manhattan. He was educated at public schools and ...
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Isaac M. Kapper
Justice Isaac M. Kapper was born around 1864. He earned the money for his tuition at New York Law School ...
Charles H. Kelby
Justice Charles Hendre Kelby was born in New York City on August 7, 1870. He was educated at New York ...
William J. Kelly
Justice William J. Kelly was born on April 13, 1860. He attended St. Joseph's Parochial School and Public School 9, ...
Philip M. Kleinfeld
Justice Philip M. Kleinfeld was born on June 19, 1894 in the Lower East Side. He graduated from New York ...
Sybil Hart Kooper
Justice Sybil Hart Kooper was born in Brooklyn around the year 1925, the daughter of Walter R. Hart, a State ...
Gabriel M. Krausman
Justice Gabriel M. Krausman was educated at Brooklyn College and New York University, earning a B.S. degree with honors in ...
Joseph J. Kunzeman
Justice Joseph J. Kunzeman was born around the year 1928 and educated at Queens College and St. John's University Law ...
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Hector D. LaSalle
Judicial Offices Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, Brooklyn, New York - Appointed by Governor Andrew M ...
Henry L. Latham
Justice Henry Jepson Latham was born on December 10, 1908 in Brooklyn and raised in Queens. He was educated at ...
Charles Lawrence
Justice Charles B. Lawrence was born around the year 1920. He graduated from City College in 1941 and Brooklyn Law ...
Edward Lazansky
Justice Edward Lazansky was born on December 9, 1872, the son of Bohemian immigrants who had arrived in the United ...
Leon D. Lazer
Justice Leon D. Lazer earned a B.S. from the City College of New York in 1942. He served for over ...
Alfred D. Lerner
Justice Lerner also sat on the bench of the 1st Department; more information can be found HERE. Justice Alfred D ...
John M. Leventhal
Judicial Offices Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department Appointed January 25, 2008 by Gov. Eliot Spitzer; redesignated January ...
Harry E. Lewis
Justice Harry E. Lewis was born in New York around the year 1880 to Leopold and Emma Lowenthal Lewis. He ...
Robert A. Lifson
Justice Robert A. Lifson graduated from Huntington High School in 1967 and the State University of New York at Albany ...
Daniel F. Luciano
Justice Daniel F. Luciano was born around the year 1931 and raised in New York City. He graduated from Brooklyn ...
Robert J. Lunn
Justice Lunn also sat on the bench of the 4th Department; more information can be found HERE. Justice Robert J ...
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John MacCrate
Justice John MacCrate was born on March 29, 1885 in Dumbarton, Scotland, the son of a blacksmith. The family immigrated ...
Guy James Mangano
Justice Guy James Mangano graduated from St. John's University School of Law in 1955. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor ...
David F. Manning
Justice David F. Manning was born around the year 1857 in Brooklyn, where he lived his entire life. He practiced ...
Charles Margett
Justice Charles Margett was born on September 5, 1907 in Brooklyn. He graduated from Eastern District High School in 1925 ...
M. Henry Martuscello
M. Henry Martuscello was born on September 27, 1908 in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. He was educated at St ...
William F. Mastro
Judicial Offices Associate Justice, Appellate Division Second Department Acting Presiding Justice December 2011 - October 2012 and January 2021- May ...
William E. McCarthy
Justice McCarthy also sat on the bench of the 3rd Department; more information can be found HERE. Justice William E ...
Leo F. McGinity
Justice Leo F. McGinity graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School and Georgetown University. He received his law degree from ...
Sondra Miller
Justice Sondra Miller graduated from Wellesley College in 1950 and Harvard Law School in 1953, as part of the law ...
Nathan L. Miller
In 1913, Judge Miller was appointed to the Court of Appeals. See his full biography HERE. Judge Miller also sat ...
Howard Miller
Justice Howard Miller graduated from Brooklyn College in 1957 and New York University School of Law in 1961. He was ...
Isaac N. Mills
Justice Isaac N. Mills was born on September 10, 1851, in Thompson, Windham County, Connecticut. His family had come from ...
Milton Mollen
Justice Milton Mollen was born in Brooklyn and educated at Samuel J. Tilden High School and the St. John's University ...
Fred J. Munder
Justice Fred J. Munder was born around the year 1903 in Sunnyside, Queens. In 1929, Munder was appointed to the ...
Charles E. Murphy
Justice Charles E. Murphy was born around the year 1895 in Trenton, New Jersey. He graduated from Rider College and ...
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James F. Niehoff
Justice James F. Niehoff was born in Queens and graduated from St. John's University School of Law in 1951. In ...
Gerald Nolan
Justice Gerald Nolan was born in Yonkers around the year 1891, the son of Dan C. Nolan, publisher of the ...
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Morgan J. O’Brien
Justice O'Brien also sat on the bench of the 1st Department; more information can be found HERE. Justice Morgan J ...
Cornelius J. O’Brien
Justice Cornelius J. O'Brien was born on November 3, 1931 in New York. He graduated from Fordham University in 1954 ...
Frank D. O’Connor
Justice Frank D. O'Connor was born on December 20, 1909 in Manhattan to an Irish immigrant family and grew up ...
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Nicholas M. Pette
Justice Nicholas M. Pette was born around the year 1891. Prior to his career on the bench, he served as ...
Vincent Pizzuto
Justice Vincent Pizzuto was born around 1922 in Manhattan and lived in Brooklyn for most of his life. He earned ...
Calvin E. Pratt
Justice Calvin E. Pratt was born on January 23, 1828 in Princeton, Massachusetts. He was educated at the district school ...
A. Gail Prudenti
The Honorable A. Gail Prudenti was appointed Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts of New York State, by Chief Judge ...
Harrington Putnam
Justice Harrington Putnam was born in 1851 in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He graduated from Colby College in 1870, studied at Heidelberg ...
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Samuel Rabin
In 1974, Judge Rabin was appointed to the Court of Appeals. See his full biography HERE ...
Adelbert P. Rich
Justice Adelbert P. Rich was born in Cato, New York on May 16,1860. His father and grandfather were both attorneys ...
David S. Ritter
Justice David S. Ritter is a native of Middletown, Orange County. He earned degrees from Union College in 1956 and ...
Sheri S. Roman
Judicial Offices Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department Appointed July 2009 by Gov. David A. Patterson; redesignated January 1, 2019 ...
Albert M. Rosenblatt
In 1989, Judge Rosenblatt was appointed to the Court of Appeals. See his full biography HERE ...
Isaac Rubin
Justice Isaac Rubin was born in Mount Vernon around the year 1914. He earned degrees from New York University and ...
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Fred T. Santucci
Justice Fred T. Santucci earned degrees from Adelphi College in 1955 and New York Law School in 1957. He then ...
Alan D. Scheinkman
Judicial Offices Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, Brooklyn, New York - Appointed by Governor Andrew M ...
Frederick G. Schmidt
Justice Frederick G. Schmidt was born around the year 1886 and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. He began his political career ...
Townsend Scudder
Justice Townsend Scudder was born on July 26, 1865 in Northport, Long Island, a descendant of Captain John Dickinson of ...
Albert H. F. Seeger
Justice Albert H. F. Seeger was born on February 20, 1859 in Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany and came to the U.S ...
Albert H. Sewell
Justice Sewell also sat on the bench of the 3rd Department; more information can be found HERE. Justice Albert H ...
Sandra L. Sgroi
Judicial Offices Associate Justice, Appellate Division Second Department Appointed October 1, 2009 by Gov. David A. Patterson; retired January 24, ...
J. Irwin Shapiro
Justice J. Irwin Shapiro was born in Brooklyn around the year 1905 and earned degrees from New York University and ...
Nancy E. Smith
Justice Nancy E. Smith earned degrees from Allegheny College in 1976 and Vermont Law School in 1980. She was admitted ...
Charles W. U. Sneed
Justice Charles W. U. Sneed was born on August 13, 1881 in Newburgh, NY. He was educated at public schools ...
Arthur D. Spatt
Justice Arthur Donald Spatt, a native of Brooklyn, earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1949. He was ...
Robert A. Spolzino
Justice Robert A. Spolzino earned degrees from Georgetown University in 1980 and St. John's University School of Law in 1983 ...
Luke D. Stapleton
Justice Luke D. Stapleton was born on December 11, 1869 in Brooklyn. He graduated from the St. James Pro-Cathedral in ...
Thomas R. Sullivan
Justice Thomas R. Sullivan was born around the year 1926. He graduated from Villanova College in 1949 and Fordham University ...
Joseph A. Suozzi
Justice Joseph A. Suozzi was born in Potenza, Italy. His father served in the U.S. Infantry and became a naturalized ...
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Edward B. Thomas
Justice Edward Beers Thomas was born on August 4, 1848 in Cortlandville, NY. He graduated from Yale College in 1870, ...
William C. Thompson
Justice William C. Thompson was educated at Franklin K. Lane High School and Brooklyn College before earning his law degree ...
Arthur S. Tompkins
Justice Arthur Sidney Tompkins was born on August 26, 1865 in Schoharie County, NY. He was educated at public schools ...
Sandra L. Townes
Justice Sandra L. Townes earned degrees from Johnson C. Smith University in 1966 and Syracuse University College of Law in ...
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Henry L. Ughetta
Justice Henry L. Ughetta was born on September 20, 1902 in Brooklyn. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Fordham ...
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Moses M. Weinstein
Justice Moses M. Weinstein was born Morris Weinstein on July 8, 1912, the son of a tailor. He grew up ...
John M. Woodward
Justice Woodward also sat on the bench of the 3rd Department; more information can be found HERE. Justice John Woodward ...
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Addison J. Young
Justice J. Addison Young was born on September 14, 1866 in Aquebogue, Long Island. He was educated at Franklinville Academy ...