We proudly salute Menachem (Mendy) Mirocznik on his appointment, by Governor Kathy Hochul, to the New York State Court of Claims. Mirocznik has, for many years, been at the forefront of authentic Jewish activism, serving in top leadership positions in the Rabbinical Alliance of America (Igud Harabbonim) and the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island. He has also served on NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ 37-member, city-wide Jewish Advisory Council.
Judge Mirocznik brings a wealth of legal experience to his new assignment. Between 2001 and 2008, he supported various Hosing Court Judges for New York City’s civil court. From 2009 until 2020, he served as a Court Attorney to the Hon. Orlando Marrazzo, Jr. in various civil courts. He played a similar role when Justice Marrazzo moved to the supreme court in 2020 and assumed the position of presiding judge of the Civil Term of Richmond County Supreme Court. He conducted legal research and analysis, reviewed cases and drafted preliminary versions of legal opinions.
Judge Mirocznik got his law degree from CUNY School of Law and was president of the Jewish Law Student Association there.
The court of claims is the exclusive forum for civil litigation seeking damages against the state of New York or certain other state-related entities, such as the NYS Thruway Authority and the City University of New York. The court of claims has no jurisdiction over any city, county or town governments or over any individual defendants. However, while there are court of claims judges who handle only claims against the state, there are many appointed to the court who are assigned to serve as an Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court in order to better manage its caseload.
All in all, the appointment of Mirocznik is a noteworthy one and we commend Governor Hochul for making it.
