New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the appointment of two new justices to the state’s appellate courts on January 16, 2024. Justice Lisa Ottley has been designated as an additional justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department, located in Brooklyn. Justice Christina Ryba joins the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department, based in Albany.
“Today, I’m strengthening New York’s Appellate Courts by announcing the designations of two women whose legal expertise, judicial temperament, and commitment to justice will ensure New York’s laws are applied fairly and correctly,” Hochul stated. The appointments are made possible under the state constitution, which allows the governor to expand the number of justices in each appellate division to accommodate increasing caseloads.
Profiles of the New Justices
Justice Lisa Ottley has served as an associate justice of the Appellate Term, Second Department since her appointment in 2023. She first entered the judiciary in 2008 after being elected to the Brooklyn Civil Court, where she made history in 2010 by becoming the first Black judge to serve as supervising judge of that court. Prior to her current role, Ottley presided over guardianship matters and jury and bench trials. A graduate of Temple University School of Law, she is also active in judicial education, serving on the Guardianship Advisory Committee and lecturing at the Judicial Institute.
Justice Christina Ryba, another significant figure in New York’s legal landscape, made history in 2015 as the first Black person elected to the state Supreme Court within the Third Department. With her recent appointment, she becomes the first Black justice from the Third Department to serve on the Appellate Division. Prior to taking her seat on the state Supreme Court, Ryba held several key positions in the state courts, including special projects counsel to the deputy chief administrative judge for courts outside New York City and counsel to the presiding justice of the Third Department.
In 2023, she was appointed administrative judge of the Third Judicial District. Ryba has also worked as an Assistant Attorney General, an attorney for the City of Albany, and as an associate at Nixon Peabody. She is currently the first vice president of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and is actively involved in various legal associations. Her leadership roles include chairing the Judicial Hearing Officer Selection Advisory Committee for the Third Department and co-chairing the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice.
The appointments of Ottley and Ryba reflect a commitment to diversity and the need for a judiciary that is representative of the New York community. Their extensive experience and dedication to justice are expected to enhance the effectiveness of the appellate courts as they address a growing number of cases.
