Ottley and Ryba: Gov Hochul’s Vision for the Appellate Division

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the designation of Justice Lisa Ottley as an Additional Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department, and Justice Christina Ryba as an Additional Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department.

“Today, I am enhancing New York’s Appellate Courts by naming two distinguished women whose deep legal knowledge, impartiality, and dedication to justice will help ensure New York’s laws are administered effectively and fairly,” said Governor Hochul. “With Justice Ottley and Justice Ryba joining the bench, our courts will sustain public trust and continue to serve as bastions of fairness and integrity for all New Yorkers.”

What This Means for New Yorkers

The Appellate Division plays a pivotal role in New York’s judiciary, serving as the body that reviews cases after lower court decisions. Appointing justices with significant experience and strong leadership backgrounds strengthens the appellate bench, enhancing consistency in legal decisions and reinforcing public faith in the state’s legal system.

Practically, expanding the appellate roster boosts the court’s capacity, enabling efficient handling of complex legal matters and ensuring the continuity that New Yorkers have come to expect from their judiciary.

Justice Lisa S. Ottley: Service in Kings County and the Appellate Term

The Hon. Lisa S. Ottley serves as Associate Justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, presiding over the Second, 11th, and 13th Judicial Districts since her 2023 appointment. She oversees a motion part in the Supreme Court, Kings County, managing a broad array of civil cases and trials. Previously, she handled guardianship cases and presided over both jury and non-jury trials from 2016 to 2023.

After being elected to the Civil Court in 2008, Justice Ottley became Supervising Judge of Kings County Civil Court in 2010, the first African American to hold that title in Kings County.

She sits on the Guardianship Advisory Committee, contributes as a lecturer at the Judicial Institute, and earned her law degree from Temple University. Justice Ottley is active in Brooklyn Community Church and is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the nation’s first African American sorority.

Justice Christina L. Ryba: A Milestone in the Third Department

Hon. Christina L. Ryba is the first Black person elected as a Supreme Court Justice in the Third Department, and will also be the first to serve there on the Appellate Division.

Justice Ryba was elected in 2015 as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in the Third Judicial District, and in May 2025, took on the role of Administrative Judge of the District. She previously served as Supervising Judge of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial District, and today acts as co-chair of the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice, advancing equal access to legal representation across New York State.

Before her judgeship, Justice Ryba’s career included stints as Special Projects Counsel for state court leadership, Assistant Attorney General, attorney for the City of Albany, and Associate at Nixon Peabody.

She currently holds positions including first vice president of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, member of the New York Women Judges Association, and past president of the Albany County Bar Foundation. She also chairs the Judicial Hearing Officer Selection Advisory Committee for the Third Department.

Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry remarked, “We thank Governor Hochul for making this historic appointment. Justice Ryba, with her wealth of judicial experience and dedication to fairness, is poised to make further major contributions to both our courts and our communities. Her leadership as both Supervising and Administrative Judge stands as a testament to her commitment to justice, and we are excited to work alongside her in this new role.”

Significance of These Designations

By appointing two esteemed jurists, Governor Hochul reinforces the application of strong legal standards statewide. Justice Ottley brings deep expertise in civil law and guardianship, enriching the Second Department’s appellate work. Justice Ryba’s Supreme Court service and involvement in access-to-justice efforts add both experience and historic representation in the Third Department.

Together, these designations highlight how appellate courts foster legal consistency and public confidence. As Governor Hochul stated, “With the appointment of Justice Ottley and Justice Ryba, our courts will continue to uphold the public trust and serve as places of integrity and justice for all New Yorkers.”