Doris M. Gonzalez at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2030
Doris M. Gonzalez
Supreme Court Justice · Westchester County Supreme Court
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Biography
Professional career
- 2018–present: Appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks as Administrative Judge of Civil Matters for the Bronx County Supreme Court, creating a program for early ADR referrals and establishing the Court’s ADR Department
- Justice of the Westchester County Supreme Court in New York’s 9th Judicial District, elected in 2023, with a long career in Bronx County judicial service and private practice
- 2010–2016: held the role of Acting Justice of the Bronx County Supreme Court
- 2007–2016: Elected Civil Court judge for Bronx County
- Her legal career began in private practice at Hayes & Ryan (1990–1997), followed by roles at Sheft, Golub & Kamlet
- She later held the role of principal law clerk to a justice on the New York Appellate Division, 1st Department
Education
- JD — CUNY School of Law at Queens College
- Fordham University — B.A.
Additional information
- Justice Gonzalez presides over the Foreclosure Settlement Conference Part and Child Victims Act cases in the Westchester County Supreme Court.
- Smith Mazure, P.C.
- Velella, Vellella, Basso & Calandra; and Hayes & Menching.
- She has also served in the Matrimonial Division and Foreclosure Part
- Born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bronx, Gonzalez is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents and a single mother to her daughter, Milta
- Gonzalez has been President of the Latino Judges Association, chaired the NYC Bar Association’s Committee to Encourage Judicial Service, and served on the Gender Fairness Committee.
- She has also taught at Monroe College and with the New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- Birth place: Brooklyn, New York City, NY
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 ↗
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.
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 ↗
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.
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 ↗
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Statewide
For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (26 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Conferences and appearances
All parties are directed to proceed in good faith in all foreclosure actions. In view of the equitable nature of foreclosure actions, the Court will apply all applicable statutes, rules and regulations, and equitable principles of substantial justice consistent with the law. All parties are guided to conduct themselves so as to avoid the appearance of unclean hands, bad faith, unreasonable delay and other potential grounds for equitable relief.
Source page 1Filing and working copies
As of January 17, 2012, residential foreclosure actions in Westchester County must be commenced utilizing the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (“NYSCEF”) system in accordance with the program established by the Chief Administrator of the Courts pursuant to Uniform Rules for the Supreme and County Courts (Uniform Rules) §§202.5-b and 202.5-bb, the Administrative Judge of the Ninth Judicial District and the Westchester County Clerk as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. Foreclosure actions are subject to mandatory e-filing.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
Counsel, housing counselors and unrepresented or pro-se parties should refer to the statewide e-filing rules (Uniform Rule §§ 202.5-b and 202.5-bb – available at www.nycourts.gov/efile).
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
General questions about e-filing may be addressed to the E-Filing Resource Center at (646) 386-3033 or efile@nycourts.gov. Questions relating to local e-filing procedures may be addressed to the Civil Calendar Office at (914) 824-5300. Unrepresented parties should note that they are not required to participate in the NYSCEF system.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
Plaintiffs are encouraged to attach to residential foreclosure complaints true and complete copies of all papers allegedly supporting the complaint such as notes, mortgages, assignments, endorsements, filings thereof with the Office of the County Clerk, notices required by statute or the mortgage instrument, powers of attorney and attorney affirmations of regularity. When applicable, upon filing the affidavit of service of the summons and complaint with the County Clerk, each plaintiff must file a Request for Judicial Intervention for a Settlement Conference in Residential Foreclosure Actions pursuant to CPLR 3408.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
All residential foreclosure actions pending in Westchester County for which the CPLR 3408 conference process is required but had not yet commenced as of April 4, 2022, will be referred to the FSCP. All residential foreclosure actions involving a home loan as defined by RPAPL 1304, in which a defendant is a resident of the underlying property, are subject to this settlement process (see generally CPLR 3408).
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
“At the time that proof of service of the summons and complaint is filed with the county clerk, plaintiff shall file with the county clerk a specialized request for judicial intervention (“RJI”), on a form prescribed by the Chief Administrator of the Courts, applicable to residential mortgage foreclosure actions covered by this section” (Uniform Rule 202.12-a[b]). Promptly thereafter, the Court will schedule an initial “settlement conference to be held within 60 days after the date of the filing of the RJI” (Uniform Rule 202.12-a[c][1]). When an action is assigned to the FSCP, the Court will upload to NYSCEF a notice advising all parties of the initial conference date. Unrepresented defendant borrowers who opted out of NYSCEF will receive a copy of the scheduling notice by first- class U.S. Mail.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
Conferences will be conducted in person. The FSCP conference calendar will be called in the Westchester County Courthouse, courtroom 1203, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 9:00 a.m. Parties and/or their representatives must check in with the clerk in courtroom 1203, and cases are called for conference in the order in which both sides have advised the clerk of their appearance. Settlement conferences are conducted in person by the Court.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
Parties or their attorney must appear in person for an initial conference. Attorneys who have not formally appeared consistent with these Rules may not be permitted to participate in the conference.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
A defendant who fails to interpose an answer to the complaint as of the date of the initial FSCP conference “shall be presumed to have a reasonable excuse for such default and shall be permitted to serve and file an answer, without any substantive defenses deemed to have been waived, within thirty days of initial appearance at the settlement conference. The default shall be deemed vacated upon service and filing of an answer” (CPLR 3408[m]).
Source page 4Motion practice
Defense motions for leave to serve a late answer, or to amend an answer, are subject to the general CPLR 3408(n) bar on motion practice and will not be in order until the action is released from the FSCP consistent therewith. In accordance with law, time during this statutory motion bar will not be considered on any such later-filed motion. Defendants wishing to interpose late answers are encouraged, however, to file any such motions promptly upon release from the FSCP.
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
Except as the Court may otherwise authorize in writing, all counsel, housing counselors, parties and witnesses shall appear in person.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
Represented parties must appear by counsel of record; no “co-counsel” appearances shall be recognized. Counsel must file a proper Notice of Appearance at least three (3) business days prior to a scheduled appearance. Substitutions of counsel must be executed by the client(s) if a natural person or otherwise by a duly authorized representative of the clients(s).
Source page 5Communications with chambers
All appearing parties, counsel and housing counselors must be fully authorized to dispose of the case. Attorneys appearing per diem must have immediate telephone and electronic mail access to attorneys of record. Plaintiff attorneys must have immediate telephone and electronic mail access to a representative of plaintiff or plaintiff’s servicer fully authorized to bind plaintiff and respond to case-related questions from the Court. Violations hereof may result in a finding that such party is unready to proceed. Where a per diem attorney is not fully ready to proceed, the Court may enter an Order banning future per diem appearances.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
The Court will NOT entertain ex parte communications except for ministerial matters.
Source page 5Adjournments
Requests for adjournments of conferences scheduled in the FSCP may be made only by email, mail or fax to the attention of the clerk of the FSCP; the Court will not consider a request made by telephone. The request must be received by the Court no less than two (2) full business days prior to the date for which the conference is scheduled. The Court will not consider a request received in violation of this deadline. Any request must indicate the name of attorney/housing counselor/party by whom the request is submitted and must include: the title and index number of the action, that the request is on consent of all parties, a date to which the parties agree the conference may be adjourned, and that copies of the request have been sent to all parties.
Source page 5Adjournments
There is no guarantee that a request for adjournment will be granted or that, if granted, the conference will be adjourned to the date requested. The Court will neither respond to a request for adjournment nor confirm whether an adjournment has been granted. Parties requesting an adjournment should check E-Courts, on the Unified Court System website, the day after making the request to confirm whether the adjournment has been granted.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
In the case of a defendant’s death, competent proof of death must be filed, upon which the action will be stayed pending appointment of the decedent’s administrator or executor, or another substitute party, pursuant to CPLR 1015 and CPLR 1021. Competent proof of death shall include a death certificate, Surrogate’s Court filing or otherwise as the Court may direct.
Source page 6Filing and working copies
Before the Court will mark a case stayed for reasons other than a death, the proponent of such stay must file written proof demonstrating its basis such as military status (50 USC §§ 3901 et seq.; Military Law §§ 300 et seq.), bankruptcy (11 USC § 362[a]) or other qualifying court order (CPLR 2201). In the event of a bankruptcy, counsel shall file on NYSCEF a proper case record from PACER (the U.S. District Court electronic filing system) or such alternative proof as the Court may direct. NYSCEF filings must properly redact confidential personal information (see Uniform Rule 202.5[e]).
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
All statements made whether oral or written, and all information exchanged, at a FSCP conference shall be solely for the purposes of settlement and shall not be deemed admissions of any party with respect to the underlying action.
Source page 6Adjournments
Plaintiff should attend each FSCP conference prepared to discuss the servicer of the loan, loan amount, reinstatement amount, payoff amount, and any investor restrictions applicable to the loan. Plaintiff may be asked to provide evidence of the status of defendant’s modification paperwork. Plaintiff should be aware that a case may be adjourned at the Court’s discretion for plaintiff to demonstrate compliance herewith. Plaintiff also must provide the Court with the following information: whether an answer has been served and whether a previous action had been filed relating to this loan and, if so, the status and disposition of such action.
Source page 6Adjournments
An action assigned to the FSCP is deemed “settled” when it is resolved by satisfaction, reinstatement or permanent modification of the subject loan, or by the closing of title following an agreed upon short sale or deed-in-lieu transaction. “A [residential foreclosure] plaintiff must file a notice of discontinuance [of the underlying action] and vacatur of the lis pendens within ninety days after any settlement agreement or loan modification is fully executed” (CPLR 3408[g]; see Uniform Rule 202.12-a[c][8]). Thus, a settled action cannot be marked “settled” until a notice of discontinuance or stipulation of discontinuance and vacatur of the lis pendens has been filed with – or a motion to discontinue and vacate has been granted by the Court – and all applicable fees remitted to, the Westchester County Clerk.
Source page 7Motion practice
Whether by notice, stipulation or motion, the applications to discontinue and vacate must be accompanied by an affirmation attesting to the manner of settlement. If it is alleged that the action was settled by loan modification, the affirmation must also include an averment that the permanent modification documents have been fully executed – in other words, by both the borrower(s) and the Plaintiff.
Source page 7Discovery
At the conclusion of the conference at which an action is released from the FSCP as non- settled, the clerk of the FSCP will assign the underlying foreclosure action to an IAS Part. All parties who have served an answer are required to advise the Court whether discovery is outstanding or whether discovery shall be demanded upon release from the FSCP. Any party seeking discovery shall promptly file a Request For Preliminary Conference, and to the extent not previously served, serve discovery demands. Discovery which is not timely pursued may be deemed waived.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
The Court actively encourages parties to settle foreclosure actions at all phases of proceedings. The FSCP and its implementing rules support active settlement negotiations. Parties should be aware, however, that upon release from the FSCP, non-settled actions will not be stayed for ongoing settlement negotiations. After release parties are encouraged to continue negotiating potential settlement possibilities but must be prepared to litigate the action in accordance with the law.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
An increasingly common practice is for parties to conclude certain trial modification agreements or other conditional settlements after release from the FSCP. As noted above, while the Court actively encourages settlement, the pendency of a conditional settlement will not stay an action. While the Court encourages reasonable settlement efforts, the Court will not allow long delays merely because a trial modification or other conditional settlement is pending.
Source page 7Published judge / part rules (13 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Filing and working copies
subpoenaed documents. Plaintiff’s counsel shall requisition the file to the Courtroom as soon as
Source page 1Trial exhibits and witnesses
All trial exhibits should be pre-marked for identification, and copies of a list of exhibits
Source page 2Trial exhibits and witnesses
must be given to the Court before the trial actually begins. Failure to comply with this rule may
Source page 2Trial exhibits and witnesses
I. To alert the Court to any anticipated requests for a jury instruction relating to
Source page 3Communications with chambers
verbal communication, including, without limitation, nods, shrugs and shaking the head. Do not
Source page 3Trial exhibits and witnesses
document or an exhibit), should be accomplished in a manner which does not disrupt the
Source page 3Trial exhibits and witnesses
grandstanding in the presence of the jury, i.e., making demands, offers or statements that should
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
Do not show anything, including an exhibit or proposed exhibit to a witness without first
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
offer ruling outside the presence of the jury should be first obtained.
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
Do not approach a witness without permission of the Court. Please allow the witness to
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
witness in the middle of an answer, unless it’s totally unresponsive in which event you should seek
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
At the commencement of the trial all counsel shall submit suggested jury charges and a
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
unless a marshaling of the evidence is waived, Counsel should, at the final charging conference,
Source page 4Published judge / part rules (37 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Conferences and appearances
The Court will entertain requests for Settlement Conferences and/or Mediation at any point during
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
litigation. A request for a Settlement Conference and/or Mediation shall be made in writing to the
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
Attorneys appearing at a Settlement Conference and/or Mediation must be fully familiar with all
Source page 1Adjournments
has settled, parties must submit a stipulation of discontinuance and a letter informing the Court of
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
There shall be strict compliance with Preliminary and Compliance Conference Orders as required
Source page 1Adjournments
to dismiss the complaint or strike an answer]). All parties are cautioned that no adjournments are
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
Extensions of deadlines set forth in a Preliminary or Compliance Conference Order must be
Source page 2Filing and working copies
Attorneys are required to convert any non-e-filed case into an e-file. All parties are directed to add
Source page 2Communications with chambers
9JD-CVADMG@nycourts.gov and uploaded to NYSCEF. No ex-parte communications shall be
Source page 2Filing and working copies
through NYSCEF and by email to: 9JD-CVADMG@nycourts.gov. The letter must state the reason
Source page 2Adjournments
stipulation agreeing to the adjournment shall also be submitted. If the extension is granted, the
Source page 2Motion practice
Prior to making a discovery motion, counsel should consult one another in a good faith effort to
Source page 3Discovery
If the parties are unable to resolve a discovery dispute after good faith efforts, an application shall
Source page 3Discovery
uploaded to NYSCEF and shall state the nature of the discovery dispute and the applicable law, if
Source page 3Motion practice
For any motion other than summary judgment, parties must request leave to the Court to make the
Source page 3Motion practice
motion. Unless leave has been given during a Compliance or Status Conference, a pre-motion
Source page 3Motion practice
conference must be held prior to filing any motion. All motions must be electronically filed.
Source page 3Motion practice
Parties must submit their motion via NYSCEF and send a courtesy email to: 9JD-
Source page 3Motion practice
Any motion for summary judgment must be made within sixty (60) days from the filing of the
Source page 3Motion practice
judgment motions will not be honored by the Court. Submission of papers must be consistent with
Source page 3Filing and working copies
A Note of Issue and Certificate of Readiness must be filed by the deadline imposed by the Court
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
at the final Compliance Conference. A Note of Issue and Certificate of Readiness may not be filed
Source page 3Discovery
unless a stipulation has been executed by all counsel indicating discovery is complete, and the
Source page 3Discovery
There shall be no post Note of Issue discovery. Any party seeking discovery after the filing of a
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
Appearances by all counsel is mandatory. Upon a party’s failure to appear for a conference, costs,
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
for virtual conferences or scheduling issues should be addressed to Eileen Lavelle, Senior Court
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
(3) Confer with all counsel regarding the completion of a proposed Preliminary Conference
Source page 5Discovery
Additionally, vague phrases such as “all discovery not yet provided” may not preserve any
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
Conference shall be requested no later than four (4) months after the Preliminary Conference Order
Source page 5Discovery
(2) Converse with all counsel regarding any outstanding discovery; and
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
(3) Submit a request for a Compliance Conference to the Court at least five (5) days in
Source page 5Discovery
phrases such as “all discovery not yet provided” may not preserve any rights and shall be
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
trial date. Should any case not be scheduled for a Pre-Trial Conference after the filing of the Note
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
Attorneys appearing at any Pre-Trial Conference must be fully familiar with all aspects of the case
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
To request a conference, parties must send a proposed Order to: 9JD-CVADMG@nycourts.gov
Source page 6Adjournments
There shall be no adjournment of conferences except in the event of special circumstance(s). Any
Source page 6Adjournments
request to adjourn a conference must be submitted in writing, by letter to the Court via NYSCEF
Source page 6Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Westchester 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
Westchester 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
Westchester 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
Westchester 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 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 ↗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 ↗Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗