September 12, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Susanna Molina Rojas
Clerk of the Court
212-340-0400

Presiding Justice Announces Appointment of New Chair
of Pre-argument Conference Program

Today, Presiding Justice Dianne T. Renwick announced the appointment of Hon. Angela M. Mazzarelli as the new chair of the Pre-argument Conference Program for the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department. Justice Mazzarelli was appointed upon a unanimous vote of the Court and succeeds Hon. E. Leo Milonas, who passed away earlier this year.

In her capacity as chair of the Pre-argument Conference Program, Justice Mazzarelli will work with program director Tamar Finkelstein, Esq., to oversee the Special Masters, volunteer mediators, who meet with the parties to narrow the issues or achieve settlement of select cases appealed to the Court. In 2023, the Program and the work of the Special Masters resulted in the removal of nearly 200 appeals from the Court's calendar prior to oral argument.

Justice Mazzarelli brings a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and perspective to her position as chair of the Pre-argument Conference Program. Justice Mazzarelli was an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department from 1994 to 2022. Only the second woman ever appointed to the Court, she is the third longest serving Appellate Division justice and longest serving female Appellate Division justice in New York State. Prior to her appointment to the Appellate Division, Justice Mazzarelli served as a judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York, as an Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court (sitting in the Criminal Term), and as an elected Justice of the New York Supreme Court (sitting in the Civil Term).

Presiding Justice Dianne T. Renwick said, “I am delighted that Justice Mazzarelli has agreed to serve as chair of the Pre-argument Conference Program. She has made remarkable contributions to the Court and the legal profession through her decades on the bench. In this new role, her expertise and sound judgment will be invaluable in guiding her fellow Special Masters as they seek to ensure timely resolution of matters and relieve the Court of a portion of its considerable workload.

“In addition, the entire Court honors the legacy of the late Hon. E. Leo Milonas, who chaired the Program for nearly 25 years. During his remarkable tenure, Justice Milonas ensured that the Special Masters were properly trained and oversaw the resolution of thousands of appeals before oral argument. The Court and the legal community will forever be grateful for his leadership and years of service.”

Justice Mazzarelli said, “I am deeply honored and grateful to the Court to be named chair of this most important Program. The Special Masters with whom I will be privileged to serve are all distinguished and highly skilled members of the bar who selflessly volunteer their time. To follow Judge Milonas, my former colleague, in this position is a particular honor.