Davidson Named New Administrative Judge

NEW YORK – Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks has designated Hon. Kathie E. Davidson as Administrative Judge of the Ninth Judicial District, which encompasses Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties. The appointment was made with the approval of Chief Judge Janet DiFiore after consultation with Hon. Justice Alan D. Scheinkman, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, and Judge Davidson’s predecessor.

Judge Marks said, “Judge Davidson is an experienced judge and a forward-thinking administrator, widely admired for her leadership, high ethical standards and passionate pursuit of justice. I am eager to work with her as we continue to advance the Chief Judge’s Excellence Initiative, instituting the operation reforms and other changes necessary to optimize court efficiency and ensure effective access to justice for all New Yorker’s.”

Judge Davidson has been serving as Supervising Judge of the Family Courts in the Ninth Judicial District for the past 11 years – the first African-American to serve in that position – during which time she spearheaded a range of innovative initiatives. These include the move to a district-wide paperless system and the launch of several outreach programs, among them Westchester County’s first National Foster Day event in 2009.

Judge Davidson was first elected to Westchester County’s Family Court in November 2003, designated an acting Supreme Court Justice in 2007 and re-elected to the Family Court in 2013.

Prior to her judicial career, she was a Deputy County Attorney with the Westchester County Law Department. Previously, she worked as an attorney for the child with the Juvenile Rights Practice of the Legal Aid Society in Bronx County, and investigative attorney with the New York State Department of Education a private practitioner specializing in family law. She is a graduate of Simmons College and Howard University School of Law.

Among her professional activities, she is the lead judge of the New York state Child Welfare Court Improvement Project and National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges’ Victim Act Model Court, chair of the Ninth Judicial District’s Attorneys for Children Advisory Committee, and a member of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and the New York State Permanent Commission on Justice of Children.

Judge Marks added, “I want to thank Judge Scheinkman for his contributions as Administrative Judge of the Ninth Judicial District. He leaves behind an impressive record, having established himself as a leader in addressing case backlogs and adopting creative solutions to improve operational processes. New Yorker’s are fortunate that they will continue to benefit from his expertise in his new role as Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Secong Department.”

The appointment is effective immediately.