Mayor de Blasio Appoints Eight Judges to Family and Civil Court

February 8, 2018

NEW YORK— Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the appointment of two judges to Family Court and six as interim Civil Court judges. These judges have a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors and are uniquely qualified to serve all New Yorkers.

“I am proud to appoint this group of diverse, committed, and impartial judges to serve the people of New York,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I am confident they will work tirelessly in the best interest of all who call this great city home.”

The Mayor appointed the following judges:  

FAMILY COURT

Judge Lisa Friederwitzer
Judge Friederwitzer spent the majority of her career, nearly 20 years, with the New York State Unified Court System, serving as a Court Attorney Referee in Supreme Court and as a Support Magistrate and Court Attorney in Family Court. Prior to that, she was a solo practitioner.
Judge Friederwitzer received her undergraduate degree from CUNY, Queens College and her law degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. 

Judge Lynn Leopold
Judge Leopold served with the New York City Law Department for nearly 17 years, primarily in the Family Court Division as Senior Counsel and Deputy Borough Chief as well as Senior Counsel in Family Court, Administration. Prior to that, she was with the New York City Housing Authority for 11 years having last served as an Assistant Chief in the Anti-Narcotics Strike Force, and started her career at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Leopold graduated from Cornell University and the University of Bridgeport School of Law (now Quinnipiac School of Law).

CIVIL COURT

Judge Jonathan Shim
Judge Shim was in private practice his entire career, having worked as an associate at several firms before becoming a solo practitioner specializing in family and matrimonial law for the last nine and a half years. Judge Shim received his undergraduate degree from SUNY at Albany and his law degree from Albany Law School. Judge Shim is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Family Court.

Judge Michael Hartofilis
Judge Hartofilis served with the Queens County District Attorney’s office in various bureaus for eight years before becoming a solo practitioner specializing in criminal defense for the last 22 years. Judge Hartofilis received his undergraduate degree from New York University and his law degree from Temple University School of Law. Judge Hartofilis is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Marisol Martinez Alonso
Judge Martinez Alonso was a career prosecutor with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, having served for over 16 years and as Deputy Chief of a Trial Bureau in her last capacity. Judge Martinez Alonso graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and received her law degree from New York Law School. Judge Martinez Alonso is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Edwin Novillo
Judge Novillo served with the Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice for over 14 years, in both Kings and Queens County. He received his undergraduate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his law degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Judge Novillo is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Ann Thompson
Judge Thompson began her career at two private firms before serving with the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office for over 10 years. She last served as Bureau Chief of the Special Victims Bureau. Judge Thompson received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and her law degree from Harvard Law School. Judge Thompson is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Jeffrey Zimmerman
Judge Zimmerman served as a prosecutor for the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District, as well as the New York County District Attorney’s Office. He spent 17 years at Time Warner Cable, having last served as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, before returning to the public sector. Most recently, Judge Zimmerman was the Deputy Director of Crime Strategies and Public Safety for the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Columbia University Law School. Judge Zimmerman is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.