Justices of the Court

Associate Justice Bahaati E. Pitt-Burke

Hon. Bahaati E. Pitt-Burke is a Guyanese born immigrant who grew up in Bronx County.  Pitt-Burke was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department in May 2021.   Justice Pitt-Burke’s judicial career includes service as a New York State Supreme Court Justice presiding over the Integrated Domestic Violence Part in Bronx County.  Prior to her 2019 election as a Justice, Pitt-Burke was first appointed to the bench in June 2016 by the Mayor of the City of New York as an Interim Judge of the New York City Civil Court.  She was then appointed as a Judge of the New York City Criminal Court in December 2016.   Justice Pitt-Burke is a former trial attorney with the Legal Aid Society, Bronx Criminal Defense Division; a former Court Attorney in New York City Civil Court and Family Court; and a former Principal Law Clerk to a New York State Supreme Court Justice in Bronx Supreme Court, Civil Division.

Justice Pitt-Burke has also diligently served the legal community as a Former President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Black Bar Association of Bronx County.   She is a member of the Bronx County Bar Association, the National Association of Women Judges, the Judicial Friends, the Latino Judges Association, the Association of Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and the Metropolitan Black Bar Association.  Justice Pitt-Burke is a former Chairperson of the Gender Bias and Gender Fairness Committee for the 12th Judicial District.  She currently serves as a Board member of the Supreme Court Judges Association of the City of New York and the Bronx Women’s Bar Association. 

A graduate of Morgan State University and the State University at Buffalo School of Law, Justice Pitt-Burke is currently an Adjunct Professor at Bronx Community College.  Pitt-Burke is a former member of Bronx Community Board 10, the Bronx Legal Services-NYC Board of Directors and has served as the guest speaker for numerous events, including local school graduations.

In recognition of her dedication to community service, Justice Pitt-Burke has received several recognitions including the: 2017 Caribbean Life Impact Award; 2015 Community Service Award, Youth Leaders on the Move; 2013 Professional Leadership Award, NAACP Williamsbridge Branch; 2007 Pioneer Award, Morrisania Revitalization Corporation, Inc.; 2005 Distinguished Public Servant Award, NAACP Parkchester Branch, as well as numerous citations from the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, and the New York City Council.