Hon. Marsha Steinhardt, for whom Riley previously served as a court attorney, delivered a poignant speech emphasizing Riley’s judicial potential. Justice Wayne Saitta, Riley’s current supervisor and mentor, administered the oath of office.

In her closing remarks, Riley expressed gratitude to her supporters, mentors and colleagues who played pivotal roles in her career and campaign. She outlined her vision for a fair and accessible judiciary, explaining the importance of empathy and community understanding in delivering justice.

Riley, a resident of Clinton Hill for nearly 20 years, brings an impressive resume to the bench. With more than a decade of legal experience, she has served as principal law clerk to Hon. Wayne P. Saitta since October 2020. Prior to that, she held similar roles with Hon. Marsha Steinhardt and Hon. Kenneth Sherman.

An educator at heart, Riley has spent more than eight years as an adjunct professor at Pace University and Long Island University – Brooklyn, mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. She is also active in numerous legal and civic organizations, including the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn and the Irish American Bar Association of New York.

Riley’s background is deeply shaped by her personal experiences. The proud daughter of a veteran and a cancer survivor, she has firsthand knowledge of navigating complex legal and health care systems. These experiences inspired her commitment to advocacy and public service.