Senate Judiciary Committee advances two dozen judicial nominations to full Senate

The New York State Senate Judiciary Committee on a multi-hour hearing advanced 24 judicial nominations to the full Senate for consideration, Chair Senator Brad Hoylman Siegel said during the session.

The nominations, submitted by Governor Kathy Hochul, cover interim appointments across the State—s Supreme Court, Family Court and Court of Claims, and were moved to the floor by voice votes at the committee meeting. Nominees introduced themselves, described their backgrounds and answered questions from committee members before the panel voted to advance each nomination.

Why it matters: Advancing a nomination from committee is the key procedural step that allows the full Senate to debate and vote on confirmation. The nominees will not assume their new roles until the Senate votes on and confirms each appointment.

Several senators praised individual nominees for their experience and public-service records. Senator Mike (Mayer) and others asked nominees about courtroom practice, case-management approaches and handling high-volume dockets. Senator Luis Sepulveda raised concerns about the overall diversity of the slate, saying the group of 25 nominees lacked sufficient representation; he asked the committee and nominating processes to improve diversity. Senator Jamaal Bailey gave extended praise for Noel Mendez—s work as Senate counsel and for his trajectory from public housing and law enforcement to legal service.

Votes at a glance

Each nomination below was advanced by the committee to the full Senate. Where the committee recorded a senator as —without recommendation— during a roll-call exchange, that is noted in the item—s notes. The votes were taken by voice vote; the committee recorded advances with —aye— responses and the formal outcome —will be considered on the floor of the Senate— was entered for each nominee.

- J. David Sampson, interim Supreme Court justice — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). Notes: nomination will be considered on the Senate floor. - Denise Hartman, interim Supreme Court justice — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Walter Rivera, interim Supreme Court justice — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Michael Kitsis, interim Supreme Court justice — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). Senator Palumbo recorded —without recommendation— during the exchange for this panel. - Jonathan Svetsky, interim Supreme Court justice — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). Senator Palumbo recorded —without recommendation— during the exchange for this panel. - Tanya Ettinger, interim Family Court judge (Monroe County) — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Jessica Wilcox, interim Family Court judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Monica Wallace, New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Gregory McCaffrey, New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote); Senators Palumbo and O—Meara were recorded —without recommendation— for this nominee. - John Bringewatt (listed in materials as John Bringewatt/Bridgewatt), New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote); Senators Palumbo and O—Meara were recorded —without recommendation—. - Abby Perrer, New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote); Senators Palumbo, O—Meara and Mayer were recorded —without recommendation— for this nominee. - Noel Mendez, New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Natasha Carbajal Evangelista, New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Mary Lynn Nicholas Brewster, New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Aaron Glevin, New York State Court of Claims judge — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Menachem Moroznick (appeared as Marashnick/Moroznick), Court of Claims nominee — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote); Senator Palumbo was recorded —without recommendation—. - Jay (J.) Kim, Court of Claims nominee — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Dennis Rio, Court of Claims nominee — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote); Senator Palumbo was recorded —without recommendation—. - Eileen Fearn (appeared as Fern/Fearn), Court of Claims nominee — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Darlene Goldberg, Court of Claims nominee — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Gordon Cuffey (appeared as Cuffee/Cuffey), Court of Claims nominee — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - James Ferrara, Court of Claims judge (reappointment) — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Rhonda Tomlinson, Court of Claims judge (reappointment) — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote). - Cheryl Joseph, Court of Claims judge (reappointment) — advanced to Senate floor (voice vote).

What senators asked and what nominees said

Committee members questioned nominees about judicial temperament, courtroom management and specific case experience. Several nominees recounted handling high-volume dockets, complex civil litigation or coordinated multi-plaintiff lawsuits; others described work with legal aid, mentoring programs and community outreach. For example, a nominee noted work on Child Victims Act cases and said those decisions are filed in the Court of Claims database. Senator Luis Sepulveda said the committee must —do much better— on diversity in the pool of nominees; the transcript records him saying there appeared to be —2 Latinos out of 25— nominees and that the committee should aim for a bench that —resembles the population of New York state.— Senator Jamaal Bailey praised Noel Mendez—s legislative counsel work and his personal trajectory from public housing and law enforcement into the legal profession.

Process notes and next steps

Advancing a nomination from committee does not by itself create an appointment. Each nominee now awaits floor consideration and a separate confirmation vote by the full Senate. Committee votes in this hearing were taken by voice; the transcript records the committee chair calling for —ayes— and then stating that each advanced nomination —will be considered on the floor of the Senate.— Several members used the procedural phrase —without recommendation— in the roll-call exchange for specific nominees; the committee transcript records those notations but does not provide a full roll-call tally in every instance.

Ending

The committee concluded after advancing the final panel of Court of Claims nominees and adjourned for the summer. The nominations now await scheduling for floor debate and votes by the full New York State Senate.