Justice Toussaint takes over as presiding justice of the Appellate Term

January 25, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Justice Wavny Toussaint during the Kings County Supreme Court’s annual Black History Month fashion show in 2018. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

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BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Brooklyn Judge Wavny Toussaint is taking over as the presiding justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Term for the 2nd, 11th, and 13th Judicial Districts, acting Chief Administrative Judge Tamiko Amaker announced on Monday.

Toussaint, who replaced Justice Thomas Aliotta, who retired at the end of last year, becomes the first woman and first person of color to serve as the presiding justice of the Appellate Term.

“Justice Toussaint is widely admired for her high standards, fairness, integrity and dedication to the pursuit of justice,” said Amaker. “She brings extensive experience and knowledge to the position of Presiding Justice. I look forward to working with her in her new capacity.”

Toussaint is well known in the local legal community as she actively participates in both local Brooklyn bar associations as well as citywide bar associations like the Metropolitan Black Bar Association.

Toussaint was the first Trinidadian American to be elected to office in New York State when she won her election for Civil Court in 2002. She was then assigned to serve as an acting Supreme Court justice in 2010, and in 2014, she was elected to the Kings County Supreme Court.

Toussaint is a graduate of Howard University School of Law. Afterwards, she interned for Judge Bruce Wright, who she credits with inspiring her to become a judge in the first place. Before joining the bench, she worked for the NYC Corporation Counsel’s Office, worked at a private firm, and also served as a court attorney and law clerk.

In addition to Toussaint’s announcement, Amaker also announced the appointments of Hon. Lisa Ottley, Hon. Marina Mundy, and Hon. Lourdes Ventura as associate justices of the Appellate Term, 2nd, 11th, and 13th Judicial Districts.