Hon. Brian F. DeJoseph
Associate Justice
Brian
F. DeJoseph is a career jurist, beginning with his appointment to the
Syracuse City Court bench in September of 1981. Then 32 years of age,
Justice DeJoseph holds the distinction as the youngest judge to sit in that
court. His service continued after his election to a 10-year term in 1981
and re-election in 1991.
In 1987, he was designated as supervising judge of Syracuse City Court, a
position he held through 2000. In this capacity, he oversaw the work of five
other judges and more than 80 non-judicial employees. He was elected
president of the New York State Association of City Court Judges in 1991. He
was the chair of the New York State City & District Court Planning Committee
from 1989 to 1992. He also served on various commissions including the
Partnership to Reduce Gun Violence, the Syracuse/Onondaga Drug and Alcohol
Abuse Commission and the Onondaga County Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
In November 2000, Justice DeJoseph was elected to a 14-year term to serve
on the New York State Supreme Court. From 2001 to 2006, he was assigned
to preside and supervise the matrimonial division of Onondaga County
Supreme Court. During his tenure, Onondaga County became a statewide
model for the effective disposition of matrimonial cases. In recognition
thereof, then Chief Judge of the State of New York Judith Kaye appointed
him a member of the statewide matrimonial commission. In 2007, he was
assigned as a trial justice, hearing a wide variety of civil and
commercial cases. On April 15, 2014 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo designated Justice DeJoseph to the Appellate
Division, Fourth Department.
Always an advocate for education, Justice DeJoseph has been a frequent
speaker at various venues including annual Law Day festivities, continuing
legal education seminars, local schools and neighborhood watch groups. He is
committed to the next generation of lawyers and has mentored and instructed
many law students, offering them guidance and experience during their
internships.
Throughout his life, Justice DeJoseph has been involved in a variety of
civic organizations. He currently sits on the boards of MESA of Delaware
Inc. and L'Arche of Syracuse. Both organizations are committed to addressing
the needs of individuals who have developmental disabilities.
Justice DeJoseph was born in Syracuse, New York. A 1972 magna cum laude
graduate of Syracuse University, Justice DeJoseph was selected for
membership in the academic honorary societies of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi
Kappa Phi. In 1975, he graduated cum laude from Syracuse University College
of Law. He was a member of the New York State Army National Guard from 1970
to 1976. The proud father of three adult daughters, Justice DeJoseph resides
in Syracuse with his wife Stephanie.