On Sept. 29, the Center for Judicial Events & Clerkships (CJEC), the Office of the Dean, and the Fordham Law Alumni Association (FLAA) welcomed New York Court of Appeals Associate Judge Madeline Singas ’91 to Fordham Law for a dynamic fireside chat with Dean Matthew Diller. Judge Singas is the fifth Fordham Law graduate to sit on the state’s highest court, the first Fordham Law woman, and the only graduate to serve in the role in the last 50 years.
Suzanne M. Endrizzi ’96, CJEC assistant dean, opened the event welcoming the attendees with a special recognition of the newly formed Hellenic Law Students Association (HLSA). “Judge Singas’ career path has been inspiring, and has given her long standing commitment and mentorship of women attorneys, the women alumni of the law school are particularly proud of all she has accomplished,” said Endrizzi.
During his remarks, FLAA President Edward M. Joyce ’86 focused on Judge Singas’ life of service, saying, “I tried to find the words to describe all the things you’ve done for others … but I think I’m going to quote somebody who himself was [the child of immigrants], of Italian parents who had settled in Argentina, Pope Francis: ‘I express my solidarity with migrants around the world and thank all those who help them; welcoming others means welcoming God in person,’” quoting the Pontiff in 2016. “I think [that quote]is all about your career and what your commitment to serving others is about.”
Dean Diller opened the fireside chat by remarking “We are in awe of what you have achieved and are so excited that you are on the bench in this incredibly important position of trust for the people of the state of New York. We are behind you every step of the way.”
The discussion explored Judge Singas’ ascent to the bench, her experience transitioning from district attorney to judge, and her commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable groups including the elderly, immigrants, and survivors of domestic violence.
More than 165 members of the law school community attended, including students, staff, faculty and alumni. Also in attendance was Acting Chief Judge Anthony Cannataro, New York Court of Appeals. The evening concluded with a reception in honor of Judge Singas.
An Affinity for Serving the Most Vulnerable Populations
The daughter of Greek immigrants, Judge Singas was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world. At an early age she saw how locals who immigrated to the United States struggled and were often mistreated. “My dad [who owned a pizzeria in Elmhurst, Queens]would come home from the shop, drop a load of mail on my desk, and say, “Read this. People need help. They don’t know what it says,’” Singas said. “I became that person for so many people … which was really eye opening for me.”
After discovering a passion for criminal law and graduating from Fordham Law in 1991, Judge Singas began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in her home county of Queens, where her work focused on domestic violence. “I thought I would be working in the Queens DA’s office for three or four years, move on, and find something else to do,” said Judge Singas, recalling that she wanted to be the voice for women and children in abusive situations and victims of sexual assault. “But I loved it from the first time I walked into the courtroom and said, ‘Madeline Singas, for the people of the state of New York.’ It just clicked.”
In 2006, Judge Singas joined the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, later becoming chief assistant district attorney and establishing its first Special Victims Bureau to assist the elderly and victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. In 2015, Judge Singas was appointed acting district attorney, and elected district attorney the following year, becoming the first Greek American woman in New York state history to serve the role. Judge Singas’ notable achievements as District Attorney include opening the first 24 hour/seven days a week drug crisis center in Nassau County, creating the first Office of Immigrant Affairs in Nassau County to help immigrants navigate the criminal justice system, establishing the office’s first family leave program, and advocating for women employees. By the end of her tenure in 2021, 65 percent of the office’s managers were women.
“It was a fascinating and rewarding experience that took me way out of my comfort zone,” Judge Singas said on running for public office. “It was something that I never imagined doing and it’s something now that I can never imagine not having done.”
Judge Singas was nominated to the Court of Appeals by then Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on May 25, 2021 and confirmed by the New York State Senate two weeks later. She is the first Greek American and the first woman Fordham Law graduate to sit on the state’s highest court.
“My perspective [from working in the DA’s office to being on the bench]hasn’t changed,” said Judge Singas. “As a DA, my job was to do justice, make sure that I upheld the Constitution, and make sure that people’s liberties remained intact. The role is a little different now, but that’s still my perspective, and that’s still where I come from when I look at these cases. My incredible colleagues and I come to the table on these very sophisticated and complex issues to figure out how we can move forward [and]give a rule of law that makes sense and will help people in the future.”
A Commitment to a Humanitarian Cause
In her first year on the bench, Judge Singas helped launch a new program called Judges for Career Opportunities for Refugees in conjunction with the New York state’s Unified Court System. The program, better known as “J-COR,” provides career placement opportunities in the New York court system for Afghan refugees with law-related experience or interest. “I remember reading about what was going on in Afghanistan, how Afghan women judges were in hiding, and how their families were being threatened,” Judge Singas recalled after learning that more than 270 women judges lost their positions following the Taliban’s takeover of the country in the spring/summer of 2021 and two judges were killed earlier that year. “I said, ‘I can’t sit back and do nothing about this. These are our sisters.”
She reached out to then-Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to find a way to help these refugees obtain employment in New York’s court system. Chief Judge DiFiore connected with the National Center for State Courts and the Conference of Chief Justices to discuss what U.S. judicial leaders could do to help and assist these women. That effort led to a unanimous resolution last November which has been adopted by the chief justices of every state, commonwealth and territory in the United States and urges, among other measures, that state court systems work with the National Center for State Courts to support the resettlement of Afghan judges and justice system refugees. Under the J-COR Program, eligible Afghan refugees are placed in full-time, paid “analyst” positions for a 12-month period.
At least eight women and men have been placed in New York State’s court system through this initiative, according to Judge Singas. “It’s been so gratifying that we’ve been able to help even one person,” Judge Singas said. “It was an opportunity for me to really get outside of myself and ask, ‘How can we help people?’”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Fordham Lawyers
Reflecting on her 30-year career in the public sector, Judge Singas advised attendees to seize the moment. “I don’t think there would ever be another time when there would be three openings on the Court [of Appeals],” she said. “Had I not put in my application, I wouldn’t be now beginning a second incredibly fulfilling important career. So go for it.”
Judge Singas also encouraged the Fordham Law students in attendance to pursue their interests. “Your careers are long, and I can say that as someone now 30 years into my career,” she said. “Do what you want and be passionate about it. But if you’re in a situation that isn’t working out for you, then change. Don’t go by anyone else’s agenda but your own.”
“Fordham has given you this gift of an incredible education and an incredible community that will open many doors,” she continued. “So use that degree wisely.”
Immediately before the fireside chat, Judge Singas met with a small cohort of Fordham Law Women for an informal discussion. During that dialogue, Judge Singas emphasized that advocacy must “come from a place of truth.” Fordham Law Women co-Presidents Katharine Keane ’23 and Abigail Ryckman ’24 worked with Assistant Dean Endrizzi to organize the pre-meet, noting that “we are incredibly grateful that Associate Judge Singas took the time to speak with Fordham Law Women members specifically about navigating a career in the law as a woman and as a first-generation attorney. We all left the discussion inspired by her work and role on the Court of Appeals, which is a testament to the education and network that Fordham provides.”
Judge Singas’ visit also served as the perfect opportunity for the recently revived Hellenic Law Students Association (HLSA) to meet one of their role models. “Judge Singas is a role model to all of us in the Hellenic Law Students Association, not only for being a prolific alum of our school, but also for her upbringing as a child of Greek immigrants,” said HLSA President John Tsimis ’24. “So many members of our group were able to relate to her stories of growing up in the tightly knit Greek community of Astoria, and it is exciting to see someone who shares those roots serve on our state’s highest court.”
Launched in 2019, this event encapsulates an important aspect of the CJEC’s mission to engage members of the judiciary in the life of the law school, from a fireside chat for our whole community celebrating one of our distinguished graduates and members of the bench to creating opportunities for individualized dialogue between our alumnae judges and student cohorts.
Read more about Judge Singas in the latest issue of the Fordham Lawyer.