--- title: "Donna M. Siwek | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donna-m-siwek" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Donna M. Siwek Erie County Supreme Court · Supreme Court Justice ## Profile - Court: Erie County Supreme Court - State: New York - Role: Supreme Court Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Justice, New York Supreme Court, Erie County, Buffalo, NY, 2015-2028 - Justice, New York Supreme Court, Erie County, Buffalo, NY, 2001-2014 - Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. David J. Mahoney, NYS Unified Court System, NY, 1994-2000 ### Education - JD — University at Buffalo — 1987 - St Lawrence University — B.A. (1983) ### Additional information - Practitioner, Farrell & Quackenbush, 1988-1993 - Judge Siwek presides over cases in the Erie County Supreme Court, Part 26, 4th Floor, Buffalo, NY. - Her docket includes civil, family, and special proceedings such as legal malpractice, guardianship, and tort cases - Siwek has been active in the Erie County Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, and Western New York Trial Lawyers Association - She is a past president of the Supreme Court Justices Association and secretary of the Nardin Academy Alumni Association ## 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 ### trial exhibit books Scope: statewide In New York Supreme Court and County Court civil cases, the court may require indexed trial exhibit binders, notebooks, or electronic equivalents for the court, counsel, and witnesses. Evidence excerpt: The court may direct that on the first day of trial or at such other time as the court may set, counsel shall submit an indexed binder or notebook, or the electronic equivalent, of trial exhibits for the court's use. [Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### exhibit marking Scope: statewide Civil trial counsel in New York Supreme Court and County Court must confer before trial and attempt to agree on exhibits to be offered without objection, unless the court directs otherwise. Evidence excerpt: Counsel for the parties shall consult prior to trial and shall in good faith attempt to agree upon the exhibits that will be offered into evidence without objection. [Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### virtual evidence courtroom Scope: statewide For Commercial Division matters, New York rules encourage Virtual Evidence Courtrooms for managing and presenting trial evidence after authorization by request or court direction. Evidence excerpt: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms (VECs) may be used to facilitate real-time access to trial exhibits and other relevant documents. [Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic appearances Scope: statewide For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements. Evidence excerpt: For all hybrid proceedings, all electronic appearances shall be projected in the physical courtroom in which the in-person portion of the proceeding is taking place in such a manner as to provide a reasonable opportunity for members of the public to view and hear the participants appearing electronically. [Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=J2bD5Zr66K4Hk5ZpbEl2iQ%3D%3D) - [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=J2bD5Zr66K4Hk5ZpbEl2iQ%3D%3D) - [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=J2bD5Zr66K4Hk5ZpbEl2iQ%3D%3D) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15090/donna-m-siwek/) - [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) - [Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) - [Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) - [Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15090/donna-m-siwek/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donna-m-siwek", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donna-m-siwek", "name": "Donna M. 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[Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments • Requests for Adjournments must be made at least 48 hours prior, by email, copied to all counsel, to ametz@nycourts.gov and should indicate that all counsel have been consulted and whether they consent. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Conferences and appearances • Teams invitations are directed to counsel of record only. Counsel must request and be granted prior approval for anyone other than invited counsel (or counsel covering for that attorney) to be present during the conference. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice • Requests for oral argument are granted in the discretion of the Court. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers • Adherence to CPLR Rule §2214(b) is required, EXCEPT REPLY AFFIDAVITS must be filed via NYSCEF AND working copies delivered to Chambers no later than noon two days prior to the return date (generally noon Tuesday for Thursday Special Term). See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments • Working copies are required and must be delivered to the Court as soon as is practical after NYSCEF filing. Working copies must be securely bound with exhibit tabs. Double- sided copies are not permitted. Fax and e-mail submissions of motion papers are not permitted. Failure to timely file or deliver motion papers may result in an adjournment by the Court or the Court’s refusal to consider the untimely submission. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments • Requests for Adjournments should be made by email to mwroblew@nycourts.gov with a copy to ametz@nycourts.gov and kroach@nycourts.gov and should indicate that all counsel have been consulted and whether they consent. Requests for adjournments should not be filed on NYSCEF. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice • Motions for Summary Judgment: The Court does not require nor accept a “Statement of Material Facts”. Except as ordered by the Court, Motions for Summary Judgment must be timely made pursuant to CPLR §3212(a). See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice • Motions regarding disclosure/discovery must include an affirmation of the good faith efforts made to resolve the dispute. Letters or emails between counsel are insufficient, there must have been a conversation between counsel. (Uniform Rule §202.7). See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments • Adjournments are granted only in the most exceptional circumstances, upon written request to the Court, not upon consent of counsel. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice • Motions in limine shall be made returnable and heard at least two weeks prior to jury selection. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice In Camera Review of Records is granted only upon motion, not stipulation by counsel, See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery 1. The party seeking to limit disclosure shall subpoena the records for in camera review to the Court. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery 2. The party seeking to limit disclosure shall simultaneously subpoena copies of those records to their office. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery 3. Within 14 days of receipt of the records, the party seeking to limit disclosure shall submit a CPLR §3122(b) privilege log and a copy of the Bill of Particulars on notice to opposing counsel. Working copies must be provided to the Court. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery 4. The party seeking disclosure shall have 14 days from receipt of the privilege log and Bill of Particulars to submit any additional argument to the Court to support disclosure. Working copies must be provided to the Court. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/8jd/pdfs/IAS_Rules/JudgeSiwek2026.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 ### Shared court rules - [22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/ny-shared-set-5e0f997e8c334d15fbc4) — State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable. [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction). Collected 2026-10-27. - [22 NYCRR Part 202 — Uniform Civil Rules Supreme Court And County Court](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/ny-shared-set-bf1c7eb9020e52eed65d) — Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable. [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-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.