--- title: "Edwina G. Richardson Mendelson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/edwina-g-richardson-mendelson" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-03" --- # Edwina G. Richardson Mendelson New York County Court of Claims · Court of Claims Judge ## Profile - Court: New York County Court of Claims - State: New York - Role: Court of Claims Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, NYS Unified Court System, NY, 2017-present - Justice, New York Supreme Court, New York County, New York, NY, 2017-present - Administrative Judge, New York County Family Court — Served since 2003, reappointed in 2015 - Judge, Court of Claims of New York County — Appointed by Governor Hochul in 2024 for a term through 2033 - Judge, New York Court of Claims, New York, NY, 2017-2024 - Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, Office for Justice Initiatives (OJI) — Appointed in 2017, she leads OJI’s mission to promote meaningful access to justice in all New York State courts, regardless of income, background, or ability - Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, New York County, New York, NY, 2015-2017 - Administrative Law Judge, New York City Family Court, New York, NY, 2015-2017 - Judge, New York City Family Court, New York, NY, 2014-2017 - Administrative Law Judge, New York City Family Court, New York, NY, 2009-2015 - Judge, New York City Family Court, NY, 2004-2014 - Supervising Judge, New York City Family Court, New York, NY, 2008-2009 - Joined the Family Court bench in 2003 and became administrative judge of New York County Family Court in 2008 - Judge, New York City Family Court, New York, NY, 2003-2004 - Distinguished New York State judge and administrative leader, currently serving as Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the Office for Justice Initiatives (OJI) in the New York State Unified Court System - Equal Justice in Courts Initiative — Implements recommendations to combat racial bias and promote gender fairness - Problem Solving Justice Division — Supports nearly 350 specialized courts (e.g., domestic violence, drug, mental health, veterans’ treatment) ### Education - PHD — CUNY Graduate School and University Center — 2002 - CUNY Graduate School and University Center — M.A. (2000) - CUNY Queens College — J.D. (1988) ### Additional information - She has also been appointed to the New York County Family Court bench and, more recently, to the Court of Claims of New York County for a term from 2024 to 2033 - Richardson Mendelson began her legal career as an attorney with the Legal Aid Society–Bronx County Civil Division (1988–1989) and as the first staff attorney for the Sanctuary for Families battered women’s legal services (1990–1991). - She later held the role of an 18-B assigned counsel panel attorney in Family and Supreme Court matrimonial matters, and as a court referee in Queens County Family Court. - Child Welfare Court Improvement Project and other juvenile/family justice programs - Under her leadership, OJI has expanded into five focus areas: Access to Justice, Child Welfare & Family Justice, Diversity & Inclusion, Problem Solving Justice, and Youth & Emerging Adult Justice. ## 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 ### courtroom technology Scope: courtwide The New York Court of Claims publishes courtroom evidence-presentation technology, including document/photo/object/video presentation and laptop connections in specified courtrooms. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/court-claims/courtroom-technology) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### 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=wjs8arQk0ccwTXXmJhYvXQ%3D%3D) - [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=wjs8arQk0ccwTXXmJhYvXQ%3D%3D) - [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=wjs8arQk0ccwTXXmJhYvXQ%3D%3D) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14938/edwina-g-mendelson/) - [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) - [Court of Claims Courtroom Technology](https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/court-claims/courtroom-technology) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14938/edwina-g-mendelson/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/edwina-g-richardson-mendelson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/edwina-g-richardson-mendelson", "name": "Edwina G. 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[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.