ALBANY, NY – Greek News USA
Judge Madeline Singas officially became today the 114th Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, the highest Court in the State. The formal Investiture Ceremony, which was delayed due to the pandemic restrictions, took place in the morning of Tuesday, April 5th in the Courtroom of Court of Appeals Hall in Albany.
State Chief Judge Janet DiFiore administered the oath of office to Judge Singas, in the presence of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America who offered the opening prayer, family members including husband Theo Apostolou, twins Vasili and Demetra, her sister Effie, and friends.
State Attorney General Letitia James, and Mayor of Albany Kathy Sheehan were also in attendance.
Speaking of Judge Singas, NY Gov. Hochul noted in her remarks: “She’s also, and this is what I wanted to mention, the daughter of Greek immigrants. And she often had to serve as a translator for her parents. She had to become their voice, and that’s incredible. And she said that she was motivated by having to be a voice for her parents and their family to be a voice for others in public service. I think that’s beautiful. And now she’ll have a voice for all New Yorkers here on the highest court. So I want to congratulate you on your position as well”.
On May 25, 2021, former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo nominated the then Nassau County DA Madeline Singas to the court to replace retiring Judge Leslie Stein. She was confirmed on June 8, 2021 after a 37 to 26 vote by the New York State Senate and took office that same day.
Her nomination was a historic one, making her the first Greek American judge on the bench at the Court of Appeals.
Along with Judge Singas, the Court of Appeals officially welcomed today Judges Anthony Cannataro and Shirley Troutman.
The daughter of Greek immigrants, Madeline Singas was raised in Astoria, Queens. She is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, Barnard College of Columbia University (B.A.), and Fordham University School of Law (J.D.).
She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County serving from 1991 to 2006. From 2006 to 2011, she served as Chief of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, from 2011 to 2015 as Chief Assistant District Attorney. In 2015 she was elected Nassau County District Attorney – replacing Kathleen Rice, who was elected to the House of Representatives- a role she held until her appointment to the Court of Appeals.
