It is with sadness that the Historical Society has learned of the passing of one of our founding Trustees Hon. E. Leo Milonas on January 2, 2024.
Judge Milonas was a resolute jurist who administered New York’s courts for a quarter-century throughout his storied career. He started as a Criminal Court judge in 1972, became at State Supreme Court justice shortly thereafter, and was appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department in 1982. In 1993, Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye named him Chief Administrative Judge. In this role, Judge Milonas became instrumental to upgrading court facilities and computer systems as well as tightening the rules of conduct for attorneys. After serving as Chief Administrative Judge, he returned to the Appellate Division and retired in 1998, returning to private practice that year. Judge Milonas also served as president of the New York City Bar Association from 2002 to 2004 as well as chair of the New York Commission on Judicial Nomination.
The Historical Society has been named to receive donations in his honor, and the following people have made a contribution in Judge Milonas’s memory.
- Anonymous
- Hon. Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick
- Eventgeline Douris
- Hon. Helen E. Freedman
- Ruth Friendly
- Richard Mark & Maura Harway
- Susan Kohlman
- David Lindley
- Mary and Mitchell Mark
- Paul Samuels
- Takemi Ueno