In a first for New York State, three Bronx judges were simultaneously appointed to the appellate division of the Supreme Court in the first department of New York State, it was announced on Tuesday, May 25. Justices Julio Rodriguez, Bahaati Pitt, and John Higgitt have filled the vacancies in a jurisdiction that covers Manhattan and The Bronx, marking the first time that three Bronx judges have been nominated to the appellate division simultaneously.

 

According to the New York State court system, there are four appellate divisions of the Supreme Court, one in each of the State’s four judicial departments (outlined below). These courts resolve appeals from judgments, or orders of the superior courts of original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.

 

The Bronx Democratic Party applauded the appointments, following the announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Party chair and lawyer, State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey, said the party was proud to congratulate Rodriguez, Pitt, and Higgitt on their historic appointments. “They are committed public servants with a record of service and dedication to The Bronx and New York State,” he said.

 

“These appointments reflect the broad diversity of background, experience, and legal ability our great borough has to offer and will contribute to a more representative judiciary. They are talented and highly qualified jurists who will make The Bronx proud as they make history in these new roles,” he added.

 

Rodriguez is a judge of the New York State Supreme Court in the twelfth judicial district. Prior to this, he was a judge of the New York City Civil Court. He also served in New York City’s Criminal Court. His legal career expands to his employment in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Rodriguez also held executive positions with the New York City Department of Investigation, and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. He received his B.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his J.D. from Temple School of Law.

 

Pitt is a judge for the Criminal Court of the City of New York in Bronx county. Prior to her appointment on the bench, Pitt served as a principal law clerk in the civil division of the Bronx County Supreme Court. She also served as a court attorney for the Bronx Family Court and the Bronx Civil Court. She has also worked as an attorney with the criminal defense division of the Legal Aid Society. She earned her B.A. from Morgan State University and her J.D. at the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.

Higgitt is an acting justice of the Bronx County Supreme Court, civil term in the twelfth judicial district of New York. Higgitt was elevated to the Supreme Court bench in 2018 by the Hon. Lawrence Marks, chief administrative judge of the State of New York, and later to the Court of Claims by the governor. Prior to joining the bench, Higgitt’s legal career has been with the New York State Unified Court System since 2002.

 

He served one year as an appellate attorney for the New York State Supreme Court appellate division, second judicial department, and later became principal law clerk to the Hon. Joan B. Carey, justice of the New York County Supreme Court and deputy chief administrative judge for the courts of New York City.

 

In 2005, Higgitt returned to the New York State Supreme Court appellate division as principal law clerk for Hon. James M. McGuire, an associate justice of the Supreme Court, appellate division, first judicial department. In 2009, he was appointed to Hon. Douglas E. McKeon’s chambers in Bronx County Supreme Court as a court referee. He remained in this capacity until his appointment to the New York State Court of Claims. Higgitt graduated with his B.A. in Sociology from the State University of New York College at Cortland and his J.D. from Albany Law School.