De Blasio appoints 18 NYC judges, including four with Queens ties
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Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed 18 judges to the New York City bench Wednesday. Three are former Queens assistant district attorneys. Photo via Mayor’s Office
By David Brand
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday appointed 18 judges, including four with Queens ties, to various city courts.
De Blasio made two appointments and two reappointments to Family Court; six appointments and five reappointments to Criminal Court; and two appointments and one reappointment to Civil Court. He also appointed retired Justice Helen E. Freedman to the Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.
“These appointees represent some of the fiercest champions of justice our City has to offer,” de Blasio said. “By leading our courts, they will play a critical role in my administration’s effort toward a recovery for all New Yorkers.”
Jurists with Queens connections include Judge Keshia Espinal, supervising judge of Kings County Criminal Court and a former 16-year veteran of the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Judge Jay Weiner was reappointed after serving since 2019 in Criminal Court. He is also a former Queens assistant DA.
Judge Quynda Santacroce was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2019 and has been serving in Criminal Court. Santacroce previously served as principal court attorney in Queens Criminal Court and as a Queens ADA.
Prior to her appointment, Judge Gigi Parris was a corporate associate with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. She served has also served as Supervising Court Attorney to the Supervising Judge of Queens County Family Court.
The other 14 judges include:
Judge Ashley Black was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2020 and serves in Family Court.
Judge Robert Hettleman was first appointed as a Family Court Judge in December 2013 and served for four years in Bronx County.
Judge Deepa Ambekar was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in May 2018 and serves in Criminal Court.
Judge Paul McDonnell was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January and serves in Criminal Court.
Judge Linda Poust Lopez was elected to Civil Court in January 2011 and has been serving in Criminal Court.
Judge Jean Walsh was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2020 and has been serving in Criminal Court.
Judge Janet McFarland was appointed to Civil Court.
Judge Elenor C. Reid Cherry was appointed to the Family Court in January 2018.
Judge Valerie Pels was appointed to the Family Court in January 2013.
Judge Efrain Alvarado, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in August 1988.
Judge Gilbert Hong, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in September 2008.
Judge Christopher Robles was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2018.
Judge Cori Weston was appointed to the Criminal Court in June 2016.
Judge Jonathan Shim was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in February 2018 and has been serving in Family Court.
