Daniel Alessandrino’s dedication celebrated at Milton Mollen Awards Ceremony

The Appellate Division, Second Department, held its 14th annual Milton Mollen Commitment to Excellence Award Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at its courthouse in Brooklyn Heights. 

The event, led by Presiding Justice Hector LaSalle, recognized court employees who exemplify professionalism and dedication. Among the honorees was Daniel Alessandrino, the former chief clerk of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, who passed away earlier this year and was posthumously honored.

The ceremony also honored Noreen Haddad, a resource coordinator in Dutchess County; Steven Maffei, a principal law clerk in Nassau County’s Matrimonial Center; Susan D. Alexander, a principal court attorney in Suffolk County; Charles Nocilla, the first deputy chief clerk of Queens County Supreme Court, Civil Term; Larry Godoy-Lenz, a court interpreter in Richmond County; Adrienne B. Hairston, a senior appellate court clerk; and Muriel L. Gennosa, the executive director for attorney matters in the Second Department.

Justice Alessandrino’s colleagues remembered his exceptional career, which spanned more than five decades, with many reflecting on his unwavering dedication to the court system.

“Danny was the best of us,” said Justice Lawrence Knipel. “Fifty-two years of getting up every day and doing his job conscientiously. I would call him a soldier — he did his job, did it as best he could, and there was no drama. This award is so deserved.”

Justice Matthew D’Emic, who worked closely with Alessandrino, spoke emotionally about their years of friendship. “He was devoted. I felt like he was devoted to me. I think a lot of people in this courtroom felt that way. He knew everybody in the system. He was a friend and a terrific human being. It’s bittersweet, but I’m happy to see him honored.”

Bobby Alessandrino, Daniel’s son, addressed the audience with heartfelt words. “For him, the Unified Court System was more than just a job; it was a calling. He understood at the deepest level the profound responsibility of ensuring fairness, integrity, and respect in every decision he made. My father dedicated his entire career to the court system. To him, it was not just a workplace, but a place where lives were shaped and outcomes determined by the core values he upheld.”

Presiding Justice LaSalle expressed deep appreciation to the members of the Executive Selection Committee, chaired by Justice Mark Dillon, for their dedication in evaluating the nominations and selecting the award recipients. The committee included Associate Justices Betsy Barros, Valerie Brathwaite Nelson, Angela Iannacci, Cheryl Chambers and William Ford, along with Darrell M. Joseph, clerk of the court.

The ceremony also paid tribute to Justice Milton Mollen, for whom the awards are named. A Brooklyn native, Mollen had a distinguished career as a judge, culminating in his tenure as presiding justice of the Second Department from 1978 to 1990. Mollen was also a World War II veteran, having escaped a German prison camp in 1945. His post-retirement achievements included chairing the Mollen Commission, which investigated corruption in the NYPD, and founding the New York office of JAMS, a mediation and arbitration service.

Scott Mollen, the late judge’s son, highlighted the connection between the honorees and his father’s legacy. “He’s looking down now, and he’s really saying that you are such terrific people. Congratulations, and thank you for your service.”