Mayor Bill de Blasio last week reappointed seven judges—four of whom reside in Queens—to the city’s civil, criminal and family courts.
De Blasio reappointed three judges to criminal court and two judges to family court. He also appointed two judges to interim civil court seats for one year.
The Honorable Bruna DiBiase, George Grasso and Laurie Peterson were reappointed to the criminal bench, while Adetokunbo Fasanya will remain in family court. All four are borough residents.
DiBiase received her undergraduate degree from Queens College in Flushing and her law degree from Hofstra University School of Law. She has worked for the Legal Aid Society and as a solo practitioner for almost 14 years. DiBiase has also served in various capacities with the New York State Unified Court System, including as chief of staff to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Policy and Planning. She was appointed to the Criminal Court in December 2013 and assigned to criminal court in Manhattan.
Grasso received his undergraduate degree from York College and his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law, both in Jamaica. Grasso served with the NYPD for almost 30 years, and was appointed as a criminal court judge in January 2010, becoming Supervising Judge of Arraignments for city criminal courts in 2012.
Peterson received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. She served with the Legal Aid Society as a supervising attorney, worked for Queens Law Associates, and was a principal court attorney to a supervising judge of the criminal court. Peterson was appointed as an interim civil court judge in January 2013 and reappointed as an interim civil court judge in January 2014; she has been serving in criminal court.
Fasanya graduated from the University of Ife in Nigeria and from the Nigerian Law School. Prior to his appointment, he served with the city Child Welfare Administration and was in private practice for 14 years, specializing in several areas including family law. Fasanya was appointed as an interim civil court judge in October 2013 and was reappointed in January 2014; he has been serving in family court.
By Michael V. Cusenza
