New York State Unified Court System

Become a Court Officer! Registration for the exam is open for NYC and Downstate only (NYC, Long Island, Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange and Rockland). Info and Registration: https://lnkd.in/e8Mwgsac Starting Salary: $ 58,100 plus location pay and additional benefits. No experience required. High School Diploma or Equivalent Registration Dates: Today - 6/11/2025 Exam Dates: 9/10 - 10/31/2025

A JOURNEY FROM THE HOMELESS SHELTER TO THE BENCH: JUDGE RAYMOND P. FERNANDEZ Growing up in poverty with parents addicted to drugs, few would have predicted that Ray Fernandez would grow up to be a judge. In a new Amici podcast, the Hon. Raymond P. Fernandez discusses his struggle, the guardian angels he encountered along the way, and the importance of learning to stand on top of, rather than be buried beneath, our past. “I didn't have any role models growing up, but I had people that I didn't want to be like,” says Judge Fernandez, an Acting Supreme Court Justice in the Bronx. His inspiring story of perseverance is available now, watch the episode here: Audio: https://loom.ly/NPuQFQo Transcript: https://loom.ly/t8RQ-oQ #NYCourts #AmiciPodcasts #TheBronx #NYSupremeCourt

IN THE NEWS – STENO-MANIA! In case you missed it! In this Monday's print edition of amNY Law, Senior Court Reporter Denee Vadell discusses the vital role of Court Reporter for the NYS Courts. The article covers the new ways in which stenographers are promoting their profession and the importance of court reporting to ensuring fair and equal justice. Learn more about Court Reporting in the New York State Courts on our website: https://loom.ly/57ZLHHw. #stenography #courtreporting #nycourts

Reflections on 47 Years in the Courts: Chief Luis Valcarcel Jimmy Carter had just become president in 1977 when a Puerto Rican kid from the Bronx stumbled into a career with the newly created Unified Court System. Forty seven years and eight presidents later, Chief Luis Valcarcel of the Department of Public Safety is retiring, leaving an irreplaceable legacy and institutional wisdom. In this revealing Amici podcast, Chief Valcarcel talks of his childhood, the neighbor who is now one of the most influential people in the nation, the very personal loss he suffered on 9/11/2001, and his enduring passion for all that the UCS stand for. “Being part of a system that upholds justice, and contributes to the safety and well-being of so many people, has been an honor beyond words, whether it was implementing statewide security initiatives, mentoring colleagues, or simply fulfilling my daily responsibilities with integrity,” Chief Valcarcel said. “Every step along the way, I felt purposeful, and it was extremely rewarding.” Audio: https://loom.ly/jXci__Q Transcript: https://loom.ly/v2cH4vM Photo 1: Chief Valcarcel. Photo 2: In the mid-1980s, Officer Valcarcel posed with his colleagues after participating in a judicial event. That’s him in the front row, far left. Photo 3: Around 1990, Officer Valcarcel, second from left, received a lifesaving award from the Supreme Court Justices Association. Photo 4: About six years ago, Chief Valcarcel received a visit from the ultimate VIP—his first grandchild, Faith Lassitier, who is now 10.

HON. REINALDO E. RIVERA AWARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY March 19, 2025 – Appellate Division Second Department, Brooklyn The Hon. Reinaldo E. Rivera Award for Public Safety—established this year by Second Department Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle and named for the Department’s former and first Hispanic Associate Justice—recognizes the outstanding service, dedication, and professionalism of the Department’s Court Officers and Commands. The inaugural awards were presented by Associate Justices Lara J. Genovesi and Barry E. Warhit. Chief of Public Safety Michael Magliano was acknowledged for his exemplary service in managing the UCS Department of Public Safety, which oversees the delivery of security services to courts statewide, developing and implementing public safety policies, procedures, and standards. Chief of Training Joseph Baccellieri Jr., Captain Steve Vera, and the Court Officers Academy were honored for the Academy’s stellar work in providing high-quality, comprehensive training programs for uniformed personnel and non-uniformed employees designated as “peace officers.” Congratulations to the awardees, and a heartfelt thanks to all our UCS uniformed officers for their day-to-day efforts in keeping us safe and carrying out the Court System’s vital mission. Photo: (L-R) Capt. Steve Vera, Chief Joseph Baccellieri, Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department Hector D. LaSalle, Chief Michael Magliano and Hon. Reinaldo Rivera at the first Reinaldo E. Rivera Award for Public Safety on March 19, 2025 at the Second Department in Brooklyn. (Photos by David Handschuh/ OCA) #NYCourts #HonReinaldoERivera #PublicSafety

READ ACROSS AMERICA 2025 Earlier this month, dozens of our judges and court employees visited P.S. 274 in Brooklyn and The Family School in the Bronx to celebrate Read Across America. Volunteers at both schools participated in this nationwide event by reading their favorite children’s books to pre-K through 5th-grade students. At The Family School in the Bronx, Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson read Dr. Seuss's “Yertle the Turtle”, a story that explores the qualities of good leadership. The students thoroughly enjoyed their story time with the volunteers, and each session concluded with them singing "Happy Birthday" to Dr. Seuss, whose life and work inspire the Read Across America event. All UCS volunteers cherish this yearly tradition, and we look forward to doing it again next year! Thank you to P.S. 274 and The Family School for hosting our judges and court employees. #NYCourts #ReadAcrossAmerica #DrSeuss

JURY DUTY MATTERS - THURSDAY 3/20/25 @ 03:00 PM The National Center for State Courts Center for Jury Studies is hosting a webinar on jury service with panelists including John Caher, OCA Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications, and Bridget Blot, Statewide Jury Coordinator. The webinar will cover innovative strategies for educating the public and boosting civic engagement around jury service. John and Bridget will discuss their process in making out Jury Service PSA's which can be found on our page and on our website at nyjuror.gov. Register here to watch online tomorrow afternoon: https://loom.ly/Q4rrmuc #JuryService #CivicEngagement #civics #NCSC #Webinar National Center for State Courts

COURT SYSTEM RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas submitted the Unified Court System's 2024 Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature on Friday, as statutorily required. The report is different from any prior report in that it emphasizes and illustrates the people-oriented, problem-solving mission articulated by Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson. https://loom.ly/wBu-d90

WE'RE HIRING: Court Attorney Series Supreme Court, NY County – Criminal Term ASSOCIATE COURT ATTORNEY (JG - 30) Base Salary: $119,638 + $4,775 location pay, 3% increase in salary range starting April 2025 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the NY State Bar and 5 years of relevant legal experience, including up to 18 months pre-admission. Responsibilities: Research and analyze complex legal issues and questions. Supervise attorneys and support staff in multiple courts. Work independently for judges in various courts, including Supreme Court, County Court, Surrogate's Court, Court of Claims, and Family Courts. May be assigned to Acting Justices of the Supreme Court.   SENIOR COURT ATTORNEY: (JG - 26) Base Salary: $96,594 + $4,775 location pay, 3% increase in salary range starting April 2025 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the NY State Bar and 2 years of relevant legal experience, including up to 18 months pre-admission. Responsibilities: Research and analyze complex legal issues and questions. May supervise attorneys and staff across various courts. Works independently for judges in multiple courts. May be assigned to Acting Justices of the Supreme Court.   COURT ATTORNEY: (JG - 23) Base Salary: $82,198 + $4,775 location pay, 3% increase in salary range starting April 2025 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the NY State Bar or graduation from an accredited law school with Bar admission within 18 months. Responsibilities: Research and analyze complex legal issues and questions.  Works under supervision for judges or groups of judges in various courts. May be assigned to Acting Justices of the Supreme Court. ASSIGNMENT: This position is assigned to New York Supreme, Criminal Term, New York County as a “pool” attorney. Duties may include but are not limited to: researching and analyzing complex legal questions and issues; preparing draft decisions and memorandum of law; and assisting with courtroom proceedings, among other assignments. The ideal candidate will serve in a confidential capacity and have the potential to work on a wide variety of cases at all stages of litigation with all jurists within the court; supporting increased caseloads with a priority in court matters; assisting with the management of caseloads of judges and other jurists who retire or on leave; and providing court attorney assistance for judges when their court attorney is on leave or unexpectedly absent. Application Process: Interested candidates should submit their resume to nysupremecriminalhr@nycourts.gov Deadline: Applications Due: March 17, 2025 Full job posting here: https://lnkd.in/ehr_hfYU

PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN THE COURTS: SHANE O'DONOGHUE In this St. Patrick’s Day episode of Diversity Dialogues, we chat with Shane O’Donoghue, the child of Irish immigrants who discusses the centuries-long ethnic and religious persecution of his ancestors in Ireland, and the discrimination and hatred the Irish endured in America. Shane, a management analyst in the Division of E-filing, covers the Cromwell reign of terror, the Great Hunger and, in this country, the nativist Know Nothing Party, which accused Irish and German immigrants of destroying the country by “poisoning the blood” of the nation, committing crimes and taking jobs that rightfully belonged to native born Americans. "[Diversity] is incredibly important," Shane said. "It creates an atmosphere of empathy. Once you see that diversity and you can see what other people's socio and economical challenges are or what their cultural problems that they faced, what their stories are, you kind of have a sense of empathy for them, and you want to give them a helping hand. You understand why things are the way they are and how things can get better." Diversity Dialogues is a production of the NYS Unified Court System's Office of Diversity & Inclusion. We live in a nation of immigrants, and our Diversity Dialogue segment is designed to highlight people in the court system who bring unique experiences and different perspectives to everything we do behind the scenes and in the courtroom. Audio:https://loom.ly/bl_0onw Transcript: https://loom.ly/Ye5cS5o #religiouspersecution #ireland #diversitydialogue #nationofimmigrants #immigrants #emeraldsociety #StPatricksDay #DiversityDialogues #IrishImmigrants #HistoryLesson #CulturalHeritage #ImmigrationHistory #CourtSystem #DiversityAndInclusion #EmpathyInAction