Rhonda Z. Tomlinson at a glance
- Current role
- Court of Claims Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2031
Rhonda Z. Tomlinson
Court of Claims Judge · Kings County Court of Claims
Biography
Professional career
- New York State judge currently serving on the New York State Court of Claims for Kings County, appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2025 for a term running through 2031
- Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, Kings County, New York, NY, 2022-present
- Acting Justice, Supreme Court, Kings County, Criminal Term, Designated by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks, 2022 to Present
- Judge, NYS Court of Claims, Appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul, 2022 to 2031
- Judge, New York Court of Claims, NY, 2021-2022
- Judge, NYS Court of Claims, Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, 2021 to 2022
- Chief Administrative Law Judge, New York State Board of Parole — Oversaw parole hearings at Rikers Island Judicial Center from 2014 until her appointment to the Brooklyn Criminal Court
- Principal Court Attorney, NYS Unified Court System, NY, 2011-2014
Education
- Hofstra University — J.D. (1996)
- Industrial and Labor Relations — Cornell University — 1989
- Hofstra University School of Law — J.D.
- Cornell University — B.S.
Additional information
- c-admin-jus, New York State Board of Parole, NY, 2018-2021
- Supervising Administrative Judge, New York State Board of Parole, NY, 2014-2018
- During her tenure as Chief ALJ at Rikers Island, Tomlinson presided over parole revocation hearings in a high-volume, carceral system.
- Public Policy Leader — SUNY at Albany
- She has also contributed to legal and community discussions, including op-eds on justice leadership
- Tomlinson has been recognized in official New York Courts announcements for her appointment to the Court of Claims.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Courtroom Technology
Courtwide
The New York Court of Claims publishes courtroom evidence-presentation technology, including document/photo/object/video presentation and laptop connections in specified courtrooms.
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 ↗
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 206 — Uniform Rules Court Claims
New York Court of Claims
Court of Claims actions and proceedings
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
New York Court of Claims
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
New York Court of Claims
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 3, 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 3, 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 ↗Court of Claims Courtroom Technology
Courtwide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Court of Claims Courtroom Technology ↗