Our Bureau
New York, NY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday announced 11 new judicial appointments — five appointments to Family Court, five appointments to Criminal Court, and one appointment to Interim Civil Court.
“I always say that public safety and justice are the prerequisites to prosperity, and these 11 judicial appointments will help us deliver both,” said Mayor Adams. “A safer, more affordable city that delivers for all New Yorkers must have an effective criminal justice system, so I am proud to announce these judicial appointments, which represent individuals with distinguished experience and the skills to keep the wheels of justice moving in our city. I am confident that these 11 judges will help make New York City the best place to raise a family.”
“New Yorkers deserve qualified, experienced, and capable judges, to ensure fair and efficient justice in our courts,” said City Hall Chief Counsel Allison Stoddart. “We thank these talented and dedicated judges for their service.”
Mayor Adams appointed the following judges to Family Court:
Judge Rosa Astuto was appointed as a Family Court judge in January 2025. Judge Astuto started as an associate attorney at a private office before establishing her own solo practice handling matrimonial, family, and immigration law. She maintained her practice for eight years before serving as an associate court attorney for the New York state Unified Court System in Family Court, Queens County. She briefly served as a trial attorney at The Children’s Law Center before returning to the Unified Court System as a support magistrate in Family Court, Kings County. Prior to her appointment she was assigned to Family Court, Queens County.
Judge Lisa Daley was appointed as a Family Court judge in January 2025. Judge Daley was a staff attorney for the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, Division of Legal Services early in her career before she joined District Council Municipal Employees Legal Services as a staff attorney. She then became managing attorney of the Family Law Practice at My Sisters’ Place before leaving to join the New York state Unified Court System as a court attorney referee in Family Court, Bronx County, where she served until her appointment to the bench.
Judge Jaimee Nelsen was appointed as a Family Court judge in January 2025. She started her legal career with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services as a special assistant corporation counsel before joining the Campaign Finance Board as an agency attorney. Afterwards, she served as family services counsel for The Fortune Society before leaving to establish her own practice as an 18b panel member focusing on divorce, child support, custody, and guardianship. Judge Nelsen then joined the New York state Unified Court System as a court attorney in Family Court, Bronx and Kings counties. Prior to her appointment, she served as a court attorney referee in Family Court, New York County.
Judge Dawn Orsatti was appointed as a Family Court judge in January 2025. She started her legal career as an associate attorney at a private firm, specializing in litigation and appellate practice related to parental rights matters. There she became a partner before leaving to join the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services as the director of Child Welfare Legal Services. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Orsatti served as the director of the Child & Family Legal Services Unit at JCCA.
Judge Laura Paley was appointed as a Family Court judge in December 2024. Following law school, Judge Paley joined The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Juvenile Rights Practice, where she served for six years as a staff attorney before joining the New York state Unified Court System. There she first served as a court attorney in Family Court, Kings County before becoming a court attorney referee prior to her appointment to the bench.
Mayor Adams appointed the following judges to Criminal Court:
Judge Juan Abreu was appointed as a Criminal Court judge in January 2025. Judge Abreu started his legal career at the New York County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney and served there for 13 years, and a homicide assistant during his last four years there.
Judge David Goodwin was appointed as a Criminal Court judge in January 2025. He began his legal career as a staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Judge Jevet Johnson was appointed as a Criminal Court judge in December 2024. She started her legal career with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney in the Criminal Court and Grand Jury, Narcotics, and Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureaus.
Judge Masateru Marubashi was appointed as a Criminal Court judge in December 2024. He started his legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office where he served in the Criminal Court, Intake (Grand Jury), Felony Trial, and Homicide Bureaus for over 12 years.
Judge Lana Schlesinger was appointed as a Criminal Court judge in December 2024. Following law school, Judge Schlesinger joined the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney before joining the Office of the New York Attorney General as an assistant attorney general in the Public Integrity and Real Estate Enforcement Unit.
