---
title: "Christopher M. Tunney | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-m-tunney"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Christopher M. Tunney

Steuben County Surrogate's Court · Surrogate

## Profile

- Court: Steuben County Surrogate's Court
- State: New York
- Role: Surrogate
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge on the Steuben County Court Multi‐Bench in New York’s 7th Judicial District, elected on November 5, 2024
- Steuben County Public Defender Assistant Public Defender 2019 to 2024
- Steuben County District Attorney Assistant District Attorney 2009 to 2012
- Rudman & Winchell Associate 2007 to 2008
- Current position: Judge, Steuben County Court Multi‐Bench (7th Judicial District)
- Additional role: Judge in the Surrogate’s Court of Steuben County

### Education

- Fordham University School of Law — 2004
- University of Massachusetts — B.A. (1997)

### Additional information

- Surrogate, Surrogate's Court, Steuben County, Elected, 2025 to Present
- Law Office of Christopher M. Tunney Sole Proprietor 2013 to 2024
- 2013–2019: Sole practitioner, founding his own law firm
- Jones Day Associate 2004 to 2007
- He also serves in the Surrogate’s Court of Steuben County

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording and photography

Scope: statewide

New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.

Evidence excerpt: 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 obtained

[Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### evidence presentation control

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: 1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE

[Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=YWHh850BJLecNeZNlcFVxg%3D%3D)
- [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=YWHh850BJLecNeZNlcFVxg%3D%3D)
- [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=YWHh850BJLecNeZNlcFVxg%3D%3D)
- [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true)
- [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml)
- [Judicial Directory: Hon. Christopher M. Tunney](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=YWHh850BJLecNeZNlcFVxg%3D%3D)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [22 NYCRR Part 207 — Uniform Rules Surrogates Court](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/ny-shared-set-760d2f4782807d6f93a2) — Surrogate's Court proceedings [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-207-uniform-rules-surrogates-court). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-99a7824bb8e009643f842c03) — 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34fe480ab82f22fa3c31d257) — 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.