John M. Czygier at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John M. Czygier
Judge · NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court
Biography
Professional career
- Appointed Judge of the Surrogate’s Court by Governor George Pataki in May 2001; elected to a 10‐year term in November 2001 and re‐elected in 2011
- He became a partner of that firm (which was renamed to Gatz, Arnoff & Czygier) in 1977
- Began his career in 1974 as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County
- The following year, he became an associate of the law firm of Gatz and Arnoff
- Judge, NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court, ?-present
- John M. Czygier, Jr. is a distinguished New York attorney and former judge of the Surrogate’s Court of Suffolk County, now serving as Senior Counsel with the law firm Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP
Education
- Hofstra University School of Law in — J.D. (1974)
- Adelphi University in — B.A. (1970)
Additional information
- In May 2025, the Suffolk County Bar Association honored Judge Czygier with the Golden Anniversary Award for 50 years of legal service with honor and dignity
- In 2002, he joined the Surrogate's Court.
- He ran his own firm, the Law Offices of John M. Czygier, Jr., from 1995 through 2001.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 207 — Uniform Rules Surrogates Court
NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court
Surrogate's Court proceedings
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's 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
NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's 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 June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View NYS Unified Court System, Suffolk County Surrogate's Court current judicial profile ↗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 ↗