Governor Kathy Hochul announced new designations to New York’s Appellate Courts during a press event in Albany.
Hochul named Justice Lisa Ottley as an additional justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department, and Justice Christina Ryba as an additional justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department.
“Today, I’m strengthening New York’s Appellate Courts by announcing the designations of two women whose legal expertise, judicial temperament and commitment to justice will ensure New York’s laws are applied fairly and correctly,” Hochul said. “With the appointment of Justice Ottley and Justice Ryba, our courts will continue to uphold the public trust and serve as places of integrity and justice for all New Yorkers.”
Justice Ottley currently serves as an associate justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, presiding in the Second, 11th, and 13th Judicial Districts. She has served in that role since her appointment in 2023. She also presides in Supreme Court, Kings County, handling civil matters and jury and non-jury trials. Before joining the Appellate Term, she presided over guardianship matters and trials from 2016 to 2023.
Ottley was elected to the Civil Court in 2008 and later became supervising judge of Kings County Civil Court in 2010. She was the first African American judge appointed to that position in Kings County.
Justice Ryba will make history with her designation. She is the first Black person ever elected to the Supreme Court in the Third Department and will become the first Black justice elected from the Third Department to serve on the Appellate Division.
Ryba was elected to the Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District in 2015. She later served as supervising judge and was appointed administrative judge of the district in May. She currently serves as co-chair of the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice.
Before taking the bench, Ryba held several roles within the state court system and worked as an assistant attorney general, attorney for the City of Albany, and an associate at Nixon Peabody.
Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry praised the designation, calling it historic for the Third Department. “I have every confidence that Justice Ryba will continue to make great contributions to the judiciary and our community in this new and well deserved role,” Garry said.
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