Brian F. DeJoseph was a career jurist, beginning with his appointment to the Syracuse City Court bench in September of 1981. Then 32 years of age, Justice DeJoseph holds the distinction as the youngest judge to sit in that court. His service continued after his election to a 10-year term in 1981 and re-election in 1991.
In 1987, he was designated as supervising judge of Syracuse City Court, a position he held through 2000. In this capacity, he oversaw the work of five other judges and more than 80 non-judicial employees. He was elected president of the New York State Association of City Court Judges in 1991. He was the chair of the New York State City & District Court Planning Committee from 1989 to 1992. He also served on various commissions including the Partnership to Reduce Gun Violence, the Syracuse/Onondaga Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission and the Onondaga County Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
In November 2000, Justice DeJoseph was elected to a 14-year term to serve on the New York State Supreme Court. From 2001 to 2006, he was assigned to preside and supervise the matrimonial division of Onondaga County Supreme Court. During his tenure, Onondaga County became a statewide model for the effective disposition of matrimonial cases. In recognition thereof, then Chief Judge of the State of New York Judith Kaye appointed him a member of the statewide matrimonial commission. In 2007, he was assigned as a trial justice, hearing a wide variety of civil and commercial cases. On April 15, 2014 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo designated Justice DeJoseph to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department.
Always an advocate for education, Justice DeJoseph has been a frequent speaker at various venues including annual Law Day festivities, continuing legal education seminars, local schools and neighborhood watch groups. He is committed to the next generation of lawyers and has mentored and instructed many law students, offering them guidance and experience during their internships.
Throughout his life, Justice DeJoseph has been involved in a variety of civic organizations. He currently sits on the boards of MESA of Delaware Inc. and L’Arche of Syracuse. Both organizations are committed to addressing the needs of individuals who have developmental disabilities.
Justice DeJoseph was born in Syracuse, New York. A 1972 magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University, Justice DeJoseph was selected for membership in the academic honorary societies of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. In 1975, he graduated cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law. He was a member of the New York State Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976. The proud father of three adult daughters, Justice DeJoseph resides in Syracuse with his wife Stephanie.