Catherine Rizzo at a glance
- Current role
- Acting Supreme Court Justice, IAS Part 43
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2028
Catherine Rizzo
Acting Supreme Court Justice, IAS Part 43 · Nassau County Supreme Court, Civil Term
Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile.
Public docket analytics load when this section is opened.
Biography
Professional career
- Acting Justice, Supreme Court, Nassau County, Designated by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks, 2019 to Present
- Elected judge of the Nassau County Supreme Court, presiding over IAS Part 43 in Mineola, NY, and serving a term through December 31, 2028
- Judge, County Court, Nassau County, Elected, 2019 to 2028
- NYS Unified Court System, Principal Law Clerk, Esq., 2004 to 2018
- Law Office of Arlene Zalayet, Esq., Associate, 1996 to 2004
- Mitchell, Incantaluo & Vafides, Esqs., Associate, 1994 to 1996
Education
- Quinnipiac School of Law — J.D. (1993)
- New York University — B.A. (1990)
Additional information
Catherine Rizzo Procedures & Courtroom Rules
Exhibits
Judge Specific
Justice Rizzo requires a joint evidence log by 9:30 a.m. on the exhibit-marking date and requires exhibits to be pre-marked before openings.
Counsel shall provide a Joint Evidence Log to the court at JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov on or before 9:30 AM the date this Court assigns the day for pre-marking exhibits. Counsel shall pre-mark exhibits prior to openings.Justice Catherine Rizzo IAS Part 43 Rules ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (53 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Communications with chambers
Hon. Catherine Rizzo, A.J.S.C. Supreme Court, Nassau County 3rd Floor West, Courtroom No. 313 100 Supreme Court Drive Mineola, New York 11501 IAS Part 43 JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov Chambers Phone (516) 493-3211(Emergencies only) Principal Law Clerk: Lauren Reber, Esq.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
All communications and correspondence to this Court shall be by email first, by way of letter, limited to three pages, uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties, and shall be emailed no later than 3:00 PM the day preceding the scheduled motion, conference, deposition or hearing, if applicable.
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
Counsel and/or self-represented parties shall not call this Court or the Part Clerk to confirm a court appearance or conference. The parties shall first refer to e-courts. Should reference to e-courts not confirm an appearance, a letter requesting confirmation of a court appearance or conference shall be uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Copies of correspondence between counsel and/or self-represented parties shall not be corresponded to the Court.
Source page 1Remote appearances
Do not email Justice Rizzo directly. All emails shall be addressed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov.
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
Counsel and/or self-represented parties shall promptly exchange email addresses and phone numbers with direct extensions if applicable, (not a general information number), and are expected to confirm all scheduled court appearances with each other prior to the court appearance.
Source page 2Adjournments
Any request to adjourn a motion, conference, deposition or hearing must be made by way of letter uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties. All letters requesting an adjournment must have the title of the action and Index number; state the current date of the motion/conference/deposition/hearing; the reason for the adjournment;
Source page 2Adjournments
All requests for adjournments must be made no later than 3:00 pm the day preceding the scheduled motion, conference, deposition, or hearing.
Source page 2Adjournments
Adjournment requests may only be granted by the Court, and not by stipulation that is not so-ordered.
Source page 2Adjournments
Preliminary Conferences will be held in the Preliminary Conference (PC) Part ONLY . Counsel and/or self-represented parties shall consult the PC part for adjournments and all inquiries at (516) 493-3120 and pcconf@nycourts.gov.
Source page 2Adjournments
Adjournments of conferences will be granted upon a showing of good cause. An adjournment of a conference will not change any date in any court order.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
All conferences before this Part will be held in person at 9:30 A.M. Requests for Virtual Conferences will be considered by way of letter uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
Counsel who appear before the Court must be familiar with the case with regard to which they appear and be fully prepared and authorized to discuss and resolve the issues which are scheduled to be the subject of the appearance. Failure to comply with this rule may be treated as a default for the purposes of Rule 202.27 and or may be treated as failure to appear for purposes of Rule 130.2.1.
Source page 2Motion practice
All motions, cross-motions, petitions, or orders to show cause are on submission only, no appearance is necessary, unless otherwise directed.
Source page 2Motion practice
Any party may request oral argument of a motion by way of letter uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties. Either upon receipt of a letter requesting oral argument of a motion, or after a review of the submitted motion, this Court will determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether oral argument will be heard and will advise counsel when they shall appear. Should this Court schedule oral argument, counsel shall be prepared to argue the motion, discuss resolution of the issue presented and have settlement authority.
Source page 3Motion practice
All motions, cross-motions, petitions or orders to show cause must be E-Filed in accordance with the current Administrative Orders and must be uploaded to NYSCEF.
Source page 3Motion practice
E-Filing is not mandatory for self-represented parties who may opt-out-of E-Filing and refer to https://www.nycourts.gov/legacypdfs/courts/10jd/nassau/pdf/EFilingProtocol.pdf. Counsel and self- represented parties, on matters where the opt-out-provision for E-filing applies, shall deliver a working [hard] copy of any motion, opposition or reply papers to the Part Clerk, Third Floor, Room 313. The initial motion must be delivered prior to the return date. All subsequent papers shall be delivered no later than the submission date. The working papers of the motion shall include all documents in support of the motion, including exhibits with external tabs.
Source page 3Motion practice
THE MOVING PARTY SHALL EMAIL ONLY the “NOTICE” pages of any filed motion, cross- motion, petition or order to show cause to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties. This Court does not require working copies.
Source page 3Motion practice
Motions brought pursuant to CPLR §§ 3211, 3212, or 3213 shall not automatically stay disclosure.
Source page 3Motion practice
Counsel and/or self-represented parties shall NOT FILE OR SERVE ANY DISCOVERY MOTION without obtaining prior written permission from this Court. Permission to make a discovery motion may be made by way of letter uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties. The letter shall succinctly set forth the good faith efforts made to resolve the issue, identify the document(s) sought with particularity and specific identification, that a “Jackson Affidavit” was requested, and if applicable, not provided. The letter shall not exceed three pages. Permission to make a discovery motion may also be requested in person at a scheduled conference before the Court.
Source page 3Motion practice
Any discovery motion made without prior permission from this Court shall not be considered.
Source page 3Filing and working copies
Orders to Show Cause shall only be filed where there is a genuine urgency, a stay is required or a statute mandates so proceeding. Absent advance written permission by the court, reply papers shall not be submitted on orders to show cause.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
NOTICE for a stay or TRO must be given in compliance with 22 NYCRR 202.7(f) via letter uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties. The letter shall provide the good faith efforts made to notify the party against whom the stay or TRO is sought of the, date and place that the application will be made in a manner sufficient to permit the party an opportunity to appear in response to the application. The adequacy of the notice can only be determined on a case-by-case basis, but every effort should be made to provide notice promptly and thoroughly. Thus, 24-hour prior notice (or more) by way of phone contact and e-mail where the subject of the email indicates clearly that an application for a stay or TRO will be made to the court, the date of the application, time, and Judge. The letter shall state the time and date the phone call and/or email was placed, and whether or not the call and/or email was responded to, and shall attach a copy of the email. If applicable, the letter shall notify the court if the application for the stay or TRO is on consent, providing the name of counsel or self-represented party.
Source page 4Motion practice
Proof of Service and Proposed Order. All motions shall have the appropriate proof of service on all parties where required annexed to the motion as well as a proposed order with respect to the requested relief, except on dispositive motions which will not need a proposed order.
Source page 4Motion practice
Motion Papers. Every paper, other than an exhibit or printed form, shall contain writing on one side only. All papers shall be double spaced in length with 12-point font and one-inch margins. Print for footnotes shall be no smaller than 10-point font. Counsel shall include a certification of the relevant word count with their submission.
Source page 4Motion practice
Settled Matters, Withdrawn Motions and notice of a deceased party or party filed a petition in bankruptcy. The Court shall be advised IMMEDIATELY of any settlement, withdrawal of motion or any branch of such motion, notice of a deceased party or petition in bankruptcy by way of letter by way of letter uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
Infant Compromise Orders. Applications for an Infant Compromise Order shall be submitted to the Infant’s Compromise Clerk (ICC). Counsel may e-file a redacted version of the proposed order on NYSCEF and email an unredacted version to 10JDNComp@nycourts.gov. The ICC will review and forward the application to this Part. The ICC can provide a status as to its review and advise counsel if the 4
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
(ii) proof of settlement of the infant’s claim from defense counsel, in writing; and (iii) defense counsel’s waiver of appearance at the Infant’s Compromise Hearing, in writing. Such paperwork must also otherwise comply with all applicable rules concerning the compromise of an infant’s claim.
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
Requests to “So-Order.” Absent good cause, or applicable statute (for instance CPLR §2307 requiring subpoenas to a state agency or municipality be “so ordered”), stipulations executed by parties (other than stipulations entered into at the time of conference before the court), will not be “so ordered” by this Court.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
Should counsel or self-represented parties seek this court to “so order” a stipulation or subpoena, or other agreement, they shall request so by way of letter uploaded to NYSCEF and emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties. The letter shall provide the grounds upon which the party seeks to have the document “so-ordered.”
Source page 5Communications with chambers
All subpoenas shall be uploaded to NYSCEF and forwarded to the Nassau County Clerk for review and return to Chambers.
Source page 5Motion practice
MOTIONS IN LIMINE. This Court will provide counsel with a date in which to submit any written motions in limine. Opposing counsel will be given a later date in which to respond. This Court will provide a written decision prior to date counsel are assigned to select the jury. There shall be no further motions in limine beyond the assigned date.
Source page 5Trial exhibits and witnesses
MARKED PLEADINGS. Plaintiff’s counsel shall provide a hard copy of the marked pleadings to the Part Clerk on the first day of trial.
Source page 5Trial exhibits and witnesses
PROPOSED. On the first day of trial after a jury has been selected, by 9:30 A.M. emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties, counsel shall provide the Court with the proposed Requests to Charge (see 1. below), proposed Verdict Sheet (see 2.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
1. REQUESTS TO CHARGE. On the first day of trial after the jury has been selected, a Proposed Requests to Charge prepared jointly, with headings requested “Jointly” or “On Consent” and which charges are only requested by “Plaintiff” or “Defendant.” A reference ONLY to the then current PJI number and title will suffice.
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
The Proposed Requests to Charge shall consist of proposed charges to the jury after the defendant rests and will be subject to modification on the record after a formal charging conference is held, prior to summations.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
2. VERDICT SHEET. On the first day of trial after a jury has been selected, a Proposed Verdict Sheet shall be prepared jointly. Should counsel be unable to submit a jointly prepared Proposed Verdict Sheet, each party shall submit one.
Source page 6Discovery
3. EXPERT WITNESSES. On the first day of trial, counsel shall provide their previously exchanged CPLR §3101-d [expert disclosure] and identify each expert witness, and the length of their expected testimony, including direct examination, cross-examination and redirect, if any. Counsel shall keep in mind that the Court is inclined to provide the same length of time for cross-examination as direct examination, on a case-by-case basis. This Court will first ascertain the scheduling of expert witnesses prior to scheduling the remaining witnesses, including party witnesses. The Court will entertain consented requests to take witnesses out of order. Once the expert witnesses have been identified, and their respective length of testimony, the court will schedule the remaining witnesses’ testimony.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AND PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGES TRIALS. On the first day of trial after a jury has been selected, counsel shall provide, by way of letter, the plaintiff’s date of birth and the full name and expertise of each expert witness.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
Malpractice Departures. In cases involving claims of professional negligence, on the next trial session after party rests, or such other time as the Court may direct, counsel for the party who has the burden of proof shall furnish the Court, and counsel for the opposing party, with a list of the departures from the standards of good and accepted practice which that counsel who has the burden asserts were testified to by its expert witness or witnesses. Where the testimony has been transcribed, page references will be required.
Source page 6Remote appearances
The list of departures shall be emailed to JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov, and copied to all counsel and/or self-represented parties no later than after counsel who has the burden of proof rests.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
PRE-MARKING EXHIBITS. Counsel shall provide a Joint Evidence Log to the court at JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov on or before 9:30 AM the date this Court assigns the day for pre-marking exhibits. The evidence log shall identify each exhibit as either marked in evidence, or marked for identification purposes; the purpose of each exhibit (for example plaintiff’s claim, defendant’s claim, defendant’s counter claim) and identify what each exhibit is or intends to demonstrate. The Joint Evidence Log itself will not be considered evidence.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
Counsel shall pre-mark exhibits prior to openings with the court reporter. Counsel shall consult and in good faith attempt to agree upon the exhibits that will be offered into evidence without objection. Exhibits agreed upon to be offered into evidence shall be marked as “in evidence.” Exhibits which cannot be agreed upon to be offered into evidence shall be marked as “for identification.” At trial, when referring to an exhibit, counsel shall advise the Court that the exhibit is either marked “in evidence” or “for identification.”
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
All hospital records and other evidence over 20 pages shall be Bate Stamped.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
WITNESSES. After identifying what, if any, expert will be called to testify, each party shall identify the witness the party intends to call, the order in which they shall testify and the estimated length of their testimony. Other than parties, witnesses must remain outside the courtroom until they are called to testify.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
Counsel shall Stand Up (if physically able) and state only “Objection.” Should this court need grounds, the Court will ask for grounds. Grounds are limited to a specific ground, such as “hearsay” or “leading.” Should there be an extended basis for the objection, counsel may approach the bench and ask to be heard outside the presence of the jury.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
SCHEDULE. Once the trial schedule has been made by this Court with counsel, counsel are expected to adhere to the trial schedule, absent exigent circumstances. The Court will entertain requests to take witnesses out order, on consent of all parties, when it does not extend the trial. Any request to modify the trial schedule in any way whatsoever must be granted by the Court and not by stipulation.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
When selecting the jury, counsel shall advise the jury that they are expected to arrive to court at 9:00 AM and be escorted to the courtroom by a court officer by 9:30 AM.
Source page 7Courtroom conduct and technology
Counsel shall notify the Part Clerk as soon as practicable and no later than openings as to whether they will be using a videotape, recording, display or monitor.
Source page 8Trial exhibits and witnesses
SUBPOENAED RECORDS FOR TRIAL. Except otherwise permitted pursuant to CPLR, subpoenaed records for trial must be sent to the Subpoenaed Record Room. Trial authorizations should be filled out accordingly, counsel shall ensure that the subpoenaed records arrive at the courthouse prior to trial.
Source page 8Trial exhibits and witnesses
Counsel shall notify the Part Clerk as soon as practicable and prior to pre-marking exhibits of any subpoenaed records.
Source page 8Trial exhibits and witnesses
Counsel shall provide a Joint Evidence Log to the court at JudgeRizzoRemote@nycourts.gov at 9:30 AM the day prior to trial. The evidence log shall identify each exhibit as either marked in evidence, or marked for identification purposes; the purpose of each exhibit (for example plaintiff’s claim, defendant’s claim, defendant’s counter claim) and identify what each exhibit is or intends to demonstrate. The Joint Evidence Log itself will not be considered evidence.
Source page 8Trial exhibits and witnesses
Counsel shall pre-mark evidence with the Part Clerk before a Court Reporter 9:30 AM the day prior to trial.
Source page 8Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Nassau County Supreme Court
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-2722 NYCRR Part 202 — Uniform Civil Rules Supreme Court And County Court
Nassau County Supreme Court
Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Nassau County Supreme Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Nassau County Supreme Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 28, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 28, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System official judicial roster ↗Nassau County Supreme Court current roster, IAS Part 43
Courtroom Specific source · HTML · Source checked July 28, 2026
View Nassau County Supreme Court current roster, IAS Part 43 ↗Justice Catherine Rizzo IAS Part 43 Rules
Judge Specific source · PDF · Source checked July 28, 2026
View Justice Catherine Rizzo IAS Part 43 Rules ↗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 ↗