John M. Leventhal at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Current assignment
- New York Court of Appeals
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Former
John M. Leventhal
Former Judge · New York Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, New York Court of Appeals, 2008-present
- John M. Leventhal held the role of Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department from 2008 until his retirement on December 31, 2020, after a distinguished legal career spanning over 40 years.
- He became a partner at Rosenthal, Vallario, Leventhal & Coffinas in 1989 and held the role of part-time counsel to the New York State Assembly from 1991 to 1994
- Began as a law assistant to Civil Court Judge Louis Rosenthal in 1980 and later founded his own law practice in 1982
- Since retiring, Leventhal has focused on appellate law, civil and criminal litigation, trusts and estates, and guardianships, and serves as an arbitrator and mediator across the United States
Education
- He later obtained his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1979.
- B.A. in psychology from Case Western Reserve University in 1970, followed by an M.S. in Urban Affairs from Hunter College in 1974.
Additional information
- Practitioner, 2007-2007
- Also a frequent lecturer on topics including evidence, domestic violence, elder abuse, wrongful convictions, and appellate practice.
- His judicial work spans civil, criminal, commercial, construction, employment, negligence, personal injury, product liability, and real estate matters
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York Court of Appeals current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View New York Court of Appeals 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 ↗