A. Gail Prudenti at a glance
- Current role
- Former Justice
- Current assignment
- New York Supreme Court, Kings County
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Former
A. Gail Prudenti
Former Justice · New York Supreme Court, Kings County
Biography
Professional career
- Since August 2023, Judge Prudenti has been a partner at Burner Prudenti Law
- Interim Dean of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, 2017-present
- Justice, New York Supreme Court, Kings County, New York, NY, 2001-present
- the tenth dean of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University (May 2017–June 2023)
- Chief Administrative Justice, NYS Unified Court System, Office of Court Administration, NY, 2011-2015
- Judge, New York Court of Appeals, NY, 2011-2015
- Presiding Justice, Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, NY, 2002-2011
- Second Judicial Department, and later became the first woman to hold the position of Presiding Justice of the same court in 2002, appointed by Governor George E. Pataki
- Associate Justice, Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, NY, 2001-2002
- Administrative Law Judge, Suffolk County District Court, NY, 1999-2001
- Judge, New York Supreme Court, Suffolk County, NY, 1999-2000
- Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, Suffolk County, NY, 1996-2000
- Judge, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court, NY, 1995-2000
- In 1999, she was appointed the first New York surrogate to concurrently serve as the administrative judge for the Tenth Judicial District in Suffolk County She broke further barriers as the first woman from Suffolk County to serve as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division
- Justice, New York Supreme Court, Suffolk County, NY, 1992-1994
- pros, Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney, NY, 1980-1982
- Clerk, then Law Assistant, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court, NY, 1978-1980
- Early in her career, she clerked for Suffolk surrogate judge Ernest L. Signorelli and held the role of an assistant district attorney in Suffolk County
- She became the first woman elected as Suffolk County Surrogate Judge and later held the role of an acting New York Supreme Court justice
- Throughout her career, Judge Prudenti has been recognized for her steady leadership, barrier-breaking appointments, and contributions to improving court administration and legal education
Education
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) — University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom) — 2004
- University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom) — LL.B. (1978)
- B.A. — Marymount College in 1974 and an L.L.B. (law) degree in 1978 from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland
- Fordham University — B.A. (1974)
- Law degree from the University of Aberdeen School of Law in Scotland
Additional information
- Executive Director of the Center for Children, Families and the Law, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, 2015-present
- In February 2026, she launched Judicious Advice, a service providing confidential guidance, strategy, and mentoring for law firms, attorneys, judges, and individuals, leveraging her decades of judicial and administrative experience
- During her tenure, she led the Law School’s 50th anniversary celebration, spearheaded the Vision 2020 capital campaign raising $22 million, enhanced student credentials, strengthened financial stability, and launched innovative legal technology and interdisciplinary programs
- Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts of New York State (2011–2015)
- First elected to the supreme court in 2001 and was appointed to the appellate division by Governor George Pataki later that year
- Began her judicial career in 1991 when she was elected to the New York State Supreme Court, serving until 1995
- Practitioner, Private Practice, 1982-1991
- Special Counsel, New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association's Widows and Orphans Fund, New York, NY, 1982-1991
- Date of birth: 1953-01-01
- focusing on estate administration and guardianship
- overseeing a $2.7 billion budget, 3,600 judges, 15,000 non-judicial employees, and more than 350 court facilities
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.
Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtainedPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗
Exhibits
Statewide
The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.
1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCEGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York Supreme Court, Kings County current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View New York Supreme Court, Kings County current judicial profile ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗