A state trial court / Established 1995

New York City Family Court

A general-jurisdiction trial court in New York.

The New York City Family Court is a general-jurisdiction state trial court in New York, where most civil and criminal cases are first heard. Its judges are chosen by gubernatorial appointment, the method New York uses for its judges. This page lists the judges on record for this court from our public-records source, current and former; trial-court coverage is partial.

30
Judges in history
4
Currently serving
Appointment
Selection
14-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Michael Aaron Frishman2021–2022
Michele R. Titus2020–2021
Kathleen C. Waterman-Marshall2019–2021
Guy H. Mitchell2017–2018
John J. Kelley2014–2016
Adam Silvera2014–2016
Steven Z. Mostofsky2013–2013
Llinét Rosado2013–2016
William Franc Perry2012–2022
Lillian Wan2012–2018
Michael L. Katz2011–2015
Leticia M. Ramirez2011–2022
Lisa S. Ottley2009–2009
Robert R. Reed2008–2010
Lori S. Sattler2007–2011
Lenora Gerald2006–2006
Juan Manuel Merchan2006–2015
Helene Donlan Sacco2006–2028
Wavny Toussaint2005–2012
Edwina G. Mendelson2003–2017
Jane Pearl2000–2019
Tandra L. Dawson1998–2025
Jeffrey Sander Sunshine1998–2010
Gayle P. Roberts1997–2026
Ralph J. Porzio1996–2005
Clark V. Richardson1995–2024

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the New York City Family Court are appointed by the governor to 14-year terms. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any judge to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).