Queens legal leaders named for promotions by Gov. Cuomo

Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas was appointed to the Appellate Division, Second Department and Gary Miret was nominated for a spot on the Court of Claims bench. Eagle file photo by Andy Katz

By Rachel Vick

Two prominent members of the Queens legal community were tapped for promotion, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday.

Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas was appointed to the Appellate Division, Second Department, and founding member of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County Gary Miret was nominated for a spot on the Court of Claims bench.

"New York State's courts deserve the best and brightest minds to uphold principles of law and fairness and move our State forward, and these judges are no exception," Cuomo said. "These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and diverse backgrounds and experience to their positions, and I am confident their service will benefit New Yorkers for years to come."

Zayas was selected by the Judicial Screening Committee, which oversaw the application process before sending suggestions to the governor for approval. Miret’s appointment is pending Senate confirmation.

The Second Department is comprised of 10 counties that include Queens, Kings, Richmond Counties, Long Island; and the lower Hudson Valley.

Candidates were selected for qualities including integrity, independence, leadership, intellect, legal ability, judgment, temperament, and experience, according to the governor’s office.

Zayas was first appointed to the judiciary as a Queens criminal court judge in 2003 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Before his current position in Criminal Term of Queens Supreme Court, Zayas was an Acting Justice of Queens County Supreme Court, a judge in the Court of Claims, a court attorney and practicing lawyer.

Miret is a lifelong Queens resident and was an Assistant District Attorney for ten years before entering private practice.

“It is with great pride and honor that the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County today saw two of its long-time distinguished members, the Hon. Judge Joseph A. Zayas and board member Gary Miret, Esq., receive significant appointments by Governor Andrew Cuomo today,” President of the LLAQ, Thomas Oliva, said in a statement to the Eagle.

Oliva lauded Miret as “one of the most respected practitioners on the criminal bar in Queens.”

The group credits the efforts of a coalition of Latino Bar Associations from across the state to call on the governor to improve on the disparity of Latino appointments during his tenure.

“Clearly this initiative combined with the impressive resumes of both Judge Zayas and Mr. Miret convinced the administration that these worthwhile candidates could no longer be overlooked,” they added.

Also appointed to the appellate division were Hons. Hector D. LaSalle, William Grandison Ford, Deborah A. Dowling and Lara Genovesi.