NEW YORK - Chief Administrative
Judge Jonathan Lippman announced today the appointment of
Hon. George B. Ceresia, Jr. as Administrative Judge for the
Third Judicial District. The appointment, which takes effect
on April 1st, was made with the approval of Chief Judge Judith
S. Kaye and in consultation with Presiding Appellate Division
Justice Anthony V. Cardona, following a screening process
conducted by Judge Lippman and Hon. Joseph J. Traficanti,
Jr., Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Courts Outside
New York City. Justice Ceresia succeeds Justice Thomas W.
Keegan, who will be retiring from the bench.
In making the announcement, Judge Lippman said, “Justice Ceresia is a
longstanding, highly valued member of the Capitol District’s legal community,
admired for his sharp intellect, scholarly knowledge of the law, and professional
and personal integrity. As a judge he has gained experience working on virtually
every trial bench in the State – from our nationally recognized Integrated
Domestic Violence pilot, to Supreme, Surrogate’s, County, Family, and
Town courts – and acquired an extensive knowledge of court operations
that will prove invaluable in his new role as District Administrative Judge.
Justice Ceresia is superbly qualified to take on the responsibilities of this
critical management position. I am pleased that he has accepted this new assignment
and have every confidence that the courts in the Third District will continue
to flourish under his leadership.”
Judge Lippman thanked Justice Keegan, the outgoing Administrative Judge, for
his service, stating, “Justice Keegan has been a truly outstanding Administrative
Judge for the past six years and he leaves behind a wonderful legacy of productivity
and innovation within the courts of the Third District. I wish him the best
as he retires from over three decades of illustrious judicial and public service.”
After graduation from Albany Law school in 1968, Justice Ceresia worked in
both private practice and as a public defender. He began his career with the
court system in 1972 as a Town Justice in North Greenbush. He has served as
an acting judge in both the Family court and County court in Rensselaer. In
1987, Justice Ceresia was elected to the Rensselaer County Surrogate’s
Court, and in 1994 was elected to his current position as a Supreme Court Justice.
He has also been a pioneer in spearheading the Rensselaer County Integrated
Domestic Violence Pilot project since the spring of 2001.
Justice Ceresia has been a frequent lecturer and panelist on topics including
domestic violence and gender fairness. He is very active in his community,
having served as a key volunteer in a wide range of organizations. He and his
wife reside in North Greenbush and they have two sons.
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