Mayor Adams Announces Eight Judicial Appointments

May 16, 2023

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced eight judicial appointments to New York State Family Court, New York State Criminal Court, and New York State Civil Court. Specifically, Mayor Adams appointed three Family Court judges, three Criminal Court judges, and two interim Civil Court judges.

“A just and safe city depends on a well-functioning criminal justice system,” said Mayor Adams. “This slate of judges represents the best and brightest our legal system has to offer, and we are grateful for their service to our city.”

“The city’s judiciary is more crucial than ever to keeping New York City the safest big city in America,” said Chief Counsel to City Hall Brendan McGuire. “Mayor Adams is committed to appointing the strongest available candidates to the bench who reflect the diversity of the city. We are confident that these new judges will help deliver fair and efficient justice in both the criminal and family courts. We are grateful for their service.”

Mayor Adams appointed the following judges to Family Court:

Judge Maura A. Keating began her legal career as a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Practice before joining the Manhattan practice of the Center for Family Representation, initially as a litigation supervisor, then also as co-director. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she served as the director of litigation at the Center for Family Representation.

Judge Robert A. Markoff has served the New York State Unified Court System for over two decades. He first served as a court attorney in Supreme Court, Kings County before becoming a senior court attorney serving in Civil Court, Kings County. He then briefly worked as an associate at a private firm before returning to the court system, where he resumed his service as a principal law clerk in Supreme Court, Kings County. Most recently, he served as a senior principal law clerk in the Appellate Division, Second Department.

Judge Jessica Sin joined the New York City Administration for Children’s Services as an agency attorney shortly after graduating from law school, before establishing her solo practice where she concentrated on matrimonial and family law. She then joined the New York State Unified Court System as a principal law clerk in Supreme Court, Queens County, then as a court attorney in Family Court, Queens County. She went on to become a support magistrate in the Family Courts of Bronx, New York, and Queens counties prior to her appointment to the bench.

Mayor Adams appointed the following judges to Criminal Court:

Judge Pamela A. Goldsmith began her legal career at the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, where she started as an assistant district attorney in the Criminal Court Bureau. While there, she was also assigned to the Grand Jury Bureau and, finally, Trial Bureau 30. She then joined the New York State Unified Court System as a court attorney in Supreme Court, Bronx County and in Criminal Court, New York County. Prior to her appointment, she was a principal court attorney in Supreme Court, Bronx County, Criminal Term.

Judge John N. McPadden began his legal career as a criminal defense attorney in a private firm. Since 2006, he has been serving with the New York State Office of Court Administration. He has held several titles, including associate court attorney and principal law secretary to several Supreme Court justices. Prior to his appointment, he served as the supervising court attorney to the supervising judge of New York County Criminal Court.

Judge Jung Park began her legal career with the New York County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney, where she has been for over 20 years serving in the Appeals Bureau and Trial Bureau 80, eventually becoming deputy bureau chief of Trial Bureau 80. Prior to her appointment she served as the bureau chief of Trial Bureau 80.

Mayor Adams appointed the following judges to Interim Civil Court:

Judge Grace Oboma-Layat began her legal career in public service at The Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Practice, and has served there for close to two decades. Prior to her appointment, she served as a staff attorney in child protection, termination of parental rights, and custody and visitation proceedings.

Judge Marjorie R. Steinberg started her legal career with a private firm as an associate attorney focusing on custody, visitation, domestic violence, matrimonial, guardianship, and neglect litigation. She then joined The Children’s Law Center, first as a staff attorney, then as deputy director. She later joined the New York State Unified Court System as a court attorney in the Integrated Domestic Violence Part, then as principal court attorney in the All Purpose Matrimonial Part in Richmond County, Supreme Court. Prior to her appointment, she served as a support magistrate presiding in Richmond County, Family Court.

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