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FALL 2020 |
Non-Judicial Promotions |
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Linda Dunlap-Miller In August 2019, Linda Dunlap-Miller was appointed Chief of Staff to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts, the Hon. George J. Silver. Linda brings a wealth of human resources and administrative experience, as she has worked in court administration for more than 30 years. She served in the New Jersey court system for ten years in the positions of Assistant Director of Criminal Division and Deputy Director of Trial Court Operations. Ms. Dunlap-Miller joined the NYS Unified Court System 20 years ago and served as Manager of Personnel Classification Division and Deputy Director of Human Resources for Civil Service Administration where she was responsible for the day to day management of a broad range of duties. Most recently, Ms. Dunlap-Miller served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts. In her new role as Chief of Staff, Ms. Dunlap-Miller will assist with overseeing the New York City court operations by developing, under the DCAJ’s supervision, policies and procedures related to court operations, special projects and administrative functions. Also, as Chief of Staff, Ms. Dunlap-Miller is responsible for providing managerial assistance to staff members, court employees and other administrative department personnel, managing budget preparation, program management, and supervising subordinate staff members. Ms. Dunlap-Miller previously served on the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. Ms. Dunlap-Miller received her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University and her MSW from Columbia University. |
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Dr. Christine Farrow In March 2019, Christine Farrow, Ph.D., was appointed to the position of Erie County Deputy Commissioner of Jurors. In addition to her role as Deputy Commissioner, she also serves on the Eighth Judicial District Diversity Steering Committee. Dr. Farrow joined the Courts from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), where she was a senior manager and served as a chief compliance officer overseeing, among other things Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Development. Recently, Dr. Farrow received the 2020 Women of Distinction Award from the 146th Assembly District – Assembly member Karen McMahon. This award is presented annually to honor women who have made notable accomplishments and contributions to the community. |
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Major Harold Francis Prior to becoming a Major in Kings County Criminal Court, Harold Francis served as a Captain in Queens County Supreme Court. Major Francis began his career in the Courts as a Court Officer in Kings County Criminal Court. He has previously served as Sergeant and Lieutenant in New York County and Queens Supreme Court. A career that has spanned three decades, Major Francis brings a wealth of operational and supervisory experience to manage one of the busiest court houses in the State. Major Francis will take on the position of commanding uniformed officer of Kings County Criminal Court. |
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Birdena Frye Birdena Frye was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Clerk V in the New York City Civil Court in June 2019. She is currently serving in the role of Clerk of County of Queens Civil Court where, as the highest ranking non-judicial administrator, she is responsible for managing critical operational functions and assignments. Ms. Frye’s career with the NYS Unified Court System spans over 27 years, and she has worked in various courts, including Bronx Supreme Court - Civil Term, and the New York City Family Court. |
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Doreen M. Hanley Ms. Hanley joined the Unified Court System in an entry level temporary seasonal clerical position and learned of advancement via testing. She tested and promoted to Senior Court Clerk, Associate Court Clerk, Principal Court Clerk, Assistant Deputy Chief Clerk, Clerk of Court and currently serves as Chief Clerk of the NYC Family Court. Ms. Hanley was born and reared in Queens, NY with twelve siblings. She holds a Master’s Degrees in Public Administration and in Education. Ms. Hanley believes education is the true path to success and is achieved with a collaboration of formal and life experience. With over 32 years in the Unified Court System, she is an example of what can be accomplished with dedication, diligence and perseverance. Ms. Hanley takes pride in her duties and role as the Chief Clerk of the NYC Family Court and looks forward to continued service to children and families. |
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Lakisha C. Hickson Ms. Hickson started her career in the Courts in White Plains 20 years ago. She has ascended through the ranks having worked as a Senior Court Office Assistant, Senior Court Clerk, Associate Court Clerk and then an Assistant Deputy Chief Clerk. Each position has been a learning experience that has led her to her current role of Chief Clerk. She shares her experiences with others as it may be helpful for them to achieve their goals. Ms. Hickson is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chief Clerk. |
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Cassandra Aimée Johnson, Esq. Cassandra Aimée Johnson is a Court Attorney Referee in the Queens County Supreme Court, Civil Term. In this role, she presides over foreclosure and matrimonial matters as well as expedited trials and hearings. While in the court system, Ms. Johnson has also served as principal law secretary, law clerk and senior court attorney. Prior to her court experience, Ms. Johnson worked as a staff attorney for the New York City Human Resources Administration and an associate at the Law Offices of Andrée Sylvestre. Ms. Johnson was a contributing writer and editor of the chapter entitled “Commercial Leasing,” which was published in the fourth edition of West’s New York Practice Series, Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts. Ms. Johnson volunteers as an arbitrator in the New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part, and has been trained as a mediator as part of the court-sponsored alternative dispute resolution for civil cases in Queens County. Ms. Johnson received a Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. |
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Lauren A. Jones, Esq. Prior to becoming ADR Coordinator for New York City Surrogate’s Courts, Ms. Jones was a principal court attorney in New York County’s Commercial Division where she focused on conducting settlement conferences and mediations as well as managing dockets of 500 cases. She successfully resolved complex commercial business disputes as well as contractual disputes that did not meet the Commercial Division threshold. Prior to joining the New York court system, Ms. Jones was a litigation partner at a large national firm. Her experience as both a litigator and an ADR facilitator has made her an effective, relatable and creative neutral. Ms. Jones is the co-chair of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association’s task force on ADR. She is also a commissioner on the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, as appointed by Chief Judge DiFiore in 2018. Ms. Jones often serves as a panelist and speaker on alternative dispute resolution. She obtained her B.A. from Duke University and her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. |
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Tasha E. Moore On August 25, 2016, Tasha E. Moore was hired by the NYS Unified Court System as a Senior Management Analyst in the Eighth Judicial District and was elevated to Deputy District Executive in November 2018. Ms. Moore enjoys working with the District Executive Andrew Isenberg and supporting the district’s staff who are spread out over the District’s eight counties (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming). On January 15, 2019, Ms. Moore was recognized by the Western New York Coalition of Blacks in the Courts of the Eighth Judicial District as a Trailblazer for her dedication and commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion and her tireless efforts to bring about diversity in the New York State Unified Court System. Hon. Paul L. Feroleto, Administrative Judge for the Eighth Judicial District, appointed Ms. Moore to the Eighth Judicial District Gender & Racial Fairness Committee, Eight Judicial District Diversity Steering Committee and the NYS Office of Court Administration Office of Diversity & Inclusion Diversity Task Force. Ms. Moore is a past president of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York. She holds a B.A. in Business Economics from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and a J.D. from the University at Buffalo Law School. Her greatest accomplishment is being a part of a loving family. |
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Captain Cynthia Sahler Perez Captain Sahler Perez began her career with the New York State Courts twenty years ago. She spent most of her career in New York Criminal Court including ten years as a Sergeant assigned to Operations and specialized courtrooms. Three years ago, she was asked to join Citywide Operations to work alongside the newly-appointed Chief. In this position, she broadened her experience with the New York State Courts having been tasked, alongside the Chief, with overseeing the security and staffing of the Criminal, Family, Civil and Supreme Courts within New York City. |
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Monique A. Taylor-Isaacs Monique A. Taylor-Isaacs was recently promoted from Management Analyst to Senior Management Analyst in the Division of Professional and Court Services. Ms. Taylor-Isaacs joined the Division of Court Operations (now Division of Professional and Court Services) in May 2001 as a Court Analyst. She works directly for the Director of Professional and Court Services in managing many of the Division’s on-going projects and initiatives. Her areas of responsibility are broad, diverse and complex. She is responsible for managing translation services and projects, Language Line services, the American Sign Language Video Remote Interpreting pilot project and the Judiciary Civil Legal Services data collection and programmatic reporting. Ms. Taylor-Isaacs serves as an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) consultant for the NYS Courts and manages administrative tasks and human resources for the Division. |
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Riad Williams, Esq. Ms. Williams attended New York University School of Law and graduated with dual degrees: J.D. and M.A. in Philosophy. Following graduation, she had the wonderful opportunity of clerking for the late Honorable Constance B. Motley, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. Thereafter, she was a litigation associate at Morrison & Foerster before moving from the law to the world of finance. After working as a financial planner for eight years, she joined the Court in 2006, as an Appellate Court Attorney and subsequently was promoted to Principal Appellate Court Attorney. In November 2019, Ms. Williams was promoted to Assistant Deputy Chief Appellate Court Attorney. During her career, she has learned that “success” should be self-defined, to do her best where she is so that she will be prepared for the next step, and that what initially presents as a detour can provide valuable experience. |
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Sergeant Lorraine Lopez Sgt. Lopez entered the NYS Court Officer Academy in September 2007. Upon graduating, she was assigned to Bronx Supreme Criminal Court. In June 2017, Officer Lopez was reassigned to the Westchester County Court in the Ninth Judicial District, where she brought with her a strong work ethic and love for the job. On June 11, 2018, Officer Lopez helped extinguish a fire on the 10th floor after she smelled smoke, investigated and noticed an individual standing in flames. She was subsequently awarded the Meritorious Service Award for her actions. She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on November 28, 2019, and is currently assigned to New Rochelle City Court. |
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Sergeant John Morales Sgt. Morales began his career with the New York State Courts in March of 2000 as a Court Officer Trainee. Following his graduation from the Academy, Officer Morales worked in Bronx Housing Court and then transferred to Bronx Supreme Criminal Court in 2001. During his time in the Bronx, Officer Morales also served as a Judicial Driver. In 2010, Officer Morales was reassigned to the Orange County Court in the Ninth Judicial District. In 2015, he transferred to Newburgh City Court. Officer Morales is known for his positive attitude and great leadership qualities and can always be relied upon by his supervisors. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on November 28, 2019, and is currently assigned to the Orange County Courthouse. |
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Jeanette Mercedes, Esq. Jeanette Mercedes, Esq., Associate Court Attorney, Kings County Supreme Court, was elected President of the Court Attorneys Association of the City of New York, the first Latinx to be so elected. The union represents Court Attorneys in Supreme Court and Surrogate’s Court, as well as Referees in Family Court. Jeanette is married to Franklin H. Williams Commission member Paul Kenny. |
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Gladys Guerrero-Aquino |
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Tanya Faye, Esq. |
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Ananias Grajales, Esq. |
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Camille Hayes |
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Crystal Mattocks |
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Julia Valette |
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Eugene Yates |
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