Ontario County has a new County Court judge, marking a milestone in the court’s history.
Judge Stefanie L. Barnes was sworn in on December 26, becoming only the second woman ever to serve as an Ontario County Court Judge. The Hon. Kristina Karle, the county’s first female County Court judge, administered the oath of office.
Members of the judiciary attended the ceremony, including New York State Supreme Court and Town Court justices. Elected officials, along with Barnes’ family, friends, and colleagues, also took part.
Barnes graduated from Albany Law School in 1999 and joined the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office in 2001. During her time there, she handled more than 50 jury trials along with numerous hearings and non-jury trials.
She entered private practice in January 2011, focusing on child custody, visitation, neglect, criminal, and matrimonial cases. Barnes later worked as an associate court attorney for an Ontario County Court judge before returning to private practice.
“It is my 25 years of practicing law before the Bench that prepared me to take the Bench,” Barnes said. “I look forward to serving my community in such crucial matters that affect the families and lives of so many.”
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