Court attorneys group hosts CLE seminar with esteemed Justice Riviezzo at Kings Supreme Criminal Term

September 25, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Bill Neri presents Hon. Dineen Riviezzo with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Court Attorneys of Kings Supreme Criminal Term. The gesture recognized Justice Riviezzo's contribution to legal education, during the Continuing Legal Education seminar held at the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term.
Photos courtesy of Bill Neri

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On Monday, Sept. 18, the court attorneys of Kings Supreme Criminal Term convened for a timely Continuing Legal Education seminar. The stately chambers of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, played host to the event that witnessed a fusion of legal acumen and collegial exchanges.

Formed by Bill and Maria Neri, both court attorneys working within the system, the group was established as a forum to deliberate on issues prominent within the court’s ambit. However, the group’s trajectory has since expanded. Beyond being a discussion platform, it has grown to host quarterly CLEs, promoting the continual professional development of its members.

This past event marked the group’s second quarterly CLE. The highlight was an insightful lecture by Hon. Dineen Riviezzo, a distinguished judge of the Court of Claims. The discourse, aptly titled “Guidelines for Assessing Expert Testimony,” sought to shed light on the nuances and considerations pivotal to evaluating expert evidence in court settings.

A moment of shared learning: Justice Dineen Riviezzo addresses an attentive audience of court attorneys in the boardroom of the Kings County Supreme Court, delving into the intricacies of “Guidelines for Assessing Expert Testimony” during the group’s second quarterly CLE session.

Justice Riviezzo explained the criteria and standards by which courts evaluate the admissibility and credibility of testimony provided by expert witnesses. This encompasses ensuring the expert’s qualifications, determining the scientific or technical validity of the methodology used by the expert, and assessing the relevance and reliability of the testimony to the particular case at hand.

The goal is to ensure that juries receive sound and unbiased expert opinions, helping them make informed decisions. These guidelines are influenced by, and sometimes based on, legal precedents and foundational decisions, such as the Daubert standard at the federal level, which set criteria for the admissibility of expert witness testimony.

Bill Neri, one of the group’s founders, shared his enthusiasm ahead of the event, saying, “Exceptionally excited that the court attorneys of Kings Supreme Criminal Term will be hosting Judge Dineen Riviezzo and her presentation, `Assessing Expert Testimony,’ for our second quarterly CLE.”

Justice Riviezzo’s credentials were clearly evident. Her robust legal career, spanning diverse roles, provided the backdrop for the day’s content. She began her journey in the legal world after earning an undergraduate degree from Boston College and subsequently, a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

From being an attorney at the State Inspector General’s Office and chair of the NYS Commission of Investigation to serving at the Law Firm of Clifford Chance and undertaking duties as an assistant district attorney with the New York County District Attorney’s Office, her multifaceted experiences lent an enriched perspective to the lecture.

This CLE session follows a highly successful inaugural seminar held on May 17 with Hon. Barry Kamins, the former administrative judge of the same courthouse. Justice Kamins’ lecture, which focused on the Fourth Amendment and the latest changes to the law, was met with an overwhelming response, underscoring the eagerness among court attorneys to learn from luminaries of their profession.

The steadily growing influence and organization of the Court Attorneys group hint at many more such enlightening sessions to come, continuing their mission of enhancing the legal fraternity’s expertise and addressing the pressing issues of the day.

The group is currently in the planning stages of its next CLE meeting this coming January.