Kings County celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with keynote by Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas

October 4, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

From left to right: Hon. Jacqueline Williams, co-chair of the Kings County Family Court's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration; Hon. Amanda White, supervising judge of the Kings County Family Court; Hon. Joseph Zayas, chief administrative judge of the New York State Unified Court System and keynote speaker; Hon. Edwina Richardson-Mendelson, deputy chief administrative judge; and Hon. Alicea Elloras-Ally, co-chair of the event. The group convened for the Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony at the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term.
Photos courtesy of the Kings County Family Court Hispanic Heritage Committee

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Kings County Family Court marked Hispanic Heritage Month with a ceremony featuring remarks by high-ranking officials within the New York State Judiciary. This year’s theme, “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America,” aimed to highlight the contributions of Latinos to the United States.

The event, co-chaired by Judge Jacqueline Williams and Hon. Alicea Elloras-Ally, took place in the Ceremonial Courtroom of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, on September 22.

Hon. Alicea Elloras-Ally, co-chair of the Kings County Family Court’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, addressing the attendees.

The keynote address was delivered by Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas, who was appointed to his current position by Chief Judge Rowan Wilson in May 2023. Judge Zayas oversees the operation of the statewide court system, which includes a $3.3 billion budget and more than 18,000 judicial and non-judicial employees.

He previously served as the administrative judge for the Supreme Court in Queens County and as an associate justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department.

Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina Richardson Mendelson also offered remarks during the program.

Hon. Joseph Zayas delivering the keynote address.

Before joining the bench, Judge Zayas served in various roles including as an attorney with The Legal Aid Society’s Capital Defense Unit. He is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law and Fordham University.

The event is part of a larger effort to recognize the influence and contributions of the Hispanic community in the realm of law and governance. With high-profile speakers and an engaged audience, the ceremony underscored the significant role played by Latinos in shaping the legal landscape of New York and the nation.