Debra L. Givens at a glance
- Current role
- Court of Claims Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Debra L. Givens
Court of Claims Judge · Erie County Court of Claims
Biography
Professional career
- Justice Supreme Court Appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul, 2026 to Present
- Acting Justice, Supreme Court, Erie County, Designated by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks, 2021 to 2026
- Judge, New York State Court of Claims, Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo 2021-2024
- Acting Judge, County Court, Erie County, Appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau, 2009 to 2021
- Acting Judge, Family Court, Erie County, Appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau, 2007 to 2021
- Judge, City Court, Buffalo, Elected 2003 to 2013
- The presiding judge for Department 1 of the Yuba County Superior Court in California, appointed in 2004 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Judge, City Court, Buffalo, Appointed by Mayor Anthony Masiello, 2002 to 2003
Education
- J.D. — State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law — 1987
- B.A. — State University of New York at Buffalo — 1981
Additional information
- has held the role of presiding judge since 2008
- Re-appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul, 2024 to 2033
- Re-elected, 2013 to 2021
- Erie County Family Court, Support Magistrate, 1999 to 2002
- Law Offices of Elmore & Givens, 1993 to 1998
- Law Offices of Debra L. Givens, 1991 to 1992
- Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, 1987 to 1991
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Courtroom Technology
Courtwide
The New York Court of Claims publishes courtroom evidence-presentation technology, including document/photo/object/video presentation and laptop connections in specified courtrooms.
With minimal effort, attorneys can present documents, color photos, objects, videos, and use electronic presentations to bring details to the court.Court of Claims Courtroom Technology ↗
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (9 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Adjournments
Requests for adjournments must be made in wriƟng, on noƟce to opposing counsel, and the Court no later than 72 hours prior to the scheduled appearance. If the Court grants the adjournment, it is incumbent on the aƩorney seeking the adjournment to obtain a date that is mutually agreeable to the parƟes and the Court. No adjournment will be granted unƟl a new date is secured with the Court that is within 10 days of the original scheduled appearance. Do not assume that an adjournment request has been granted unƟl you receive confirmaƟon from the Court.
Source page 1Discovery
An iniƟal conference will be held virtually via MS Teams unless otherwise indicated. Pleadings and a brief summary of the case in leƩer form are required in advance of the conference. MoƟons to resolve discovery disputes shall be accompanied by an affidavit of good faith aƩempt at resoluƟon. LeƩers between counsel are insufficient. There must have been a conversaƟon between counsel to aƩempt to resolve discovery disputes. Summary Judgment moƟons must be Ɵmely made pursuant to CPLR 3212(a), unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Source page 1Trial exhibits and witnesses
All papers and exhibits subject to e-filing, including moƟons, proposed orders and proposed judgments shall be electronically filed. Papers in maƩers not subject to e-filing are to be provided to the Court simultaneously with service on all parƟes.
Source page 2Adjournments
AŌer the RJI has been filed, the Court will schedule the case for a preliminary conference only if requested by PlainƟff or Respondent, otherwise the Court will keep the case on a 60-day diary. All moƟons will be decided on papers only. No appearance is necessary. Conferences may be adjourned if a moƟon has been filed. There should be a separate moƟon for the Order of Reference. All default moƟons should be accompanied with an aƩorney affirmaƟon seƫng forth the basis for the default. The first moƟon should include proof of compliance with the 90- day pre-foreclosure noƟce, where required by RPAPL 1304. Where the premises are occupied, noƟce of any moƟons should be mailed to the defendant(s), regardless of whether they are in default in answering the complaint. Requests for costs and/or aƩorney fees must be accompanied by a bill of costs and an affidavit indicaƟng the basis for the award requested.
Source page 2Adjournments
Trial dates issued by the Court are considered to be “DATE CERTAIN”. Adjournments are granted by permission of the Judge only. Disclosure of experts shall be made thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of jury selecƟon. Pleadings, list of witnesses, proposed jury charge,
Source page 2Trial exhibits and witnesses
and verdict sheets are required one (1) week prior to jury selecƟon. Any moƟons in limine shall be heard the day prior to jury selecƟon.
Source page 3Adjournments
Any request for an adjournment shall be made to the Judge’s secretary, law clerk, or court clerk and must be obtained in advance of the scheduled court date.
Source page 3Adjournments
ConfirmaƟon of any adjournment together with its rescheduled date must be made in wriƟng to all parƟes and to the Court by counsel seeking the adjournment.
Source page 3Adjournments
Adjournments will only be granted upon consent of counsel, except in cases of emergency.
Source page 3Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Erie County Court of Claims
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
Erie County Court of Claims
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
Erie County Court of Claims
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
Erie County Court of Claims
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 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗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 ↗Court of Claims Courtroom Technology
Courtwide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Court of Claims Courtroom Technology ↗