Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Justice Lisa Ottley as an Additional Justice to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department, and Justice Christina Ryba as an Additional Justice to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department.
Governor Hochul said, “By naming two women with outstanding legal backgrounds and unwavering ethics, I am strengthening New York’s Appellate Courts to ensure our laws are upheld responsibly and impartially. The addition of Justice Ottley and Justice Ryba ensures our judiciary maintains its high standards and remains a pillar of justice throughout New York.”
Impact for New Yorkers
The Appellate Division is essential in New York’s system as it handles reviews of cases appealed from lower courts. These appointments demonstrate a commitment to filling the appellate courts with capable judges whose expertise supports legal consistency and helps maintain public trust across the state.
Increasing the number of appellate justices enhances the courts’ ability to manage challenging caseloads efficiently, ensuring a robust judicial process that aligns with what New Yorkers anticipate from their legal institutions.
Justice Lisa S. Ottley: Leadership in Kings County Courts
Justice Lisa S. Ottley, currently an Associate Justice of the Appellate Term in the Second, 11th, and 13th Judicial Districts since 2023, oversees a comprehensive docket in the Supreme Court, Kings County. She has extensive experience presiding over civil cases, from motions to trials, including years spent on guardianship cases and trial oversight between 2016 and 2023.
Elected to Civil Court in 2008, she became the first African American Supervisor Judge of the Kings County Civil Court in 2010.
Justice Ottley contributes to the Guardianship Advisory Committee and lectures for the Judicial Institute. An alumna of Temple University School of Law, she is active in her church and is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., America’s first African American sorority.
Justice Christina L. Ryba: Leadership in the Third Department
Justice Christina L. Ryba is recognized as the first Black individual elected to the Supreme Court in the Third Department and the first from the district to join the Appellate Division.
Elected in 2015, Justice Ryba became Administrative Judge of the Third Judicial District in May 2025, following her time as Supervising Judge. She co-chairs the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice, advocating for fairness and equity throughout New York.
Justice Ryba previously filled roles such as Special Projects Counsel to senior judges, Assistant Attorney General, City of Albany attorney, and Associate at Nixon Peabody.
Her professional memberships include first vice president of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court, and she is also involved in multiple bar associations. She chairs the Judicial Hearing Officer Selection Advisory Committee in the Third Department.
Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry commented, “With this appointment, Justice Ryba will bring continued excellence to our department. Her years on the bench and steadfast dedication to fairness enrich our judiciary, and her leadership will be invaluable as she takes on this new role.”
The Importance of These Appointments
Governor Hochul’s appointments place two highly qualified judges in influential appellate roles, ensuring a balanced and capable judiciary across New York. Justice Ottley brings significant experience from civil and guardianship law, while Justice Ryba’s leadership and commitment to equal justice mark progress in both capability and representation.
Collectively, these choices reinforce the principle that appellate courts are fundamental to ensuring legal integrity and maintaining the confidence of New Yorkers in the rule of law. In Governor Hochul’s words, “Justice Ottley and Justice Ryba will help maintain our courts as symbols of trust and fairness for all New Yorkers.”
