--- title: "John M. Leventhal | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-leventhal-5233" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # John M. Leventhal New York Court of Appeals ยท Judge ## Profile - Court: New York Court of Appeals - State: New York - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## 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 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5233/john-m-leventhal/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5233/john-m-leventhal/) - [New York Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5233/john-m-leventhal/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5233/john-m-leventhal/) - [John M. Leventhal - Historical Society of the New York Courts](https://history.nycourts.gov/biography/john-leventhal) - [John Leventhal - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Leventhal) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-leventhal-5233", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-leventhal-5233", "name": "John M. Leventhal | KnowJudges", "description": "John M. Leventhal, New York Court of Appeals. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-leventhal-5233#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-leventhal-5233#judge", "name": "John M. 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