Shirley Troutman at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Shirley Troutman
Associate Judge · New York Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- In 2023, she was selected as a finalist for consideration as Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals following the retirement of Chief Judge Janet DiFiore
- On November 24, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul nominated Troutman to the New York Court of Appeals to fill the vacancy left by Judge Eugene M. Fahey, who retired on December 31, 2021
- Began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Erie County, later serving as an Assistant Attorney General for New York and as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of New York
- She also contributed to legal education as an adjunct professor at the University at Buffalo Law School and Buffalo State College Her judicial career spans nearly three decades
Education
- Juris Doctor from Albany Law School in 1985, gaining admission to the New York State Bar in 1986
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1982
Additional information
- In 2016, Governor Andrew Cuomo designated her to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department of the New York Supreme Court, where she served until 2022
- She then served on the Erie County Court from 2003 to 2009, followed by election to the New York State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, from 2010 to 2016.
- In 1994, she was appointed and subsequently elected to the Buffalo City Court, serving a full ten-year term.
- representing both the state and federal government in civil litigation.
- Troutman has been recognized for her qualifications and judicial excellence, receiving ratings such as “Well Qualified” from the New York State Bar Association and “Exceptionally Well Qualified” from the NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers.
- She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- She co-chairs the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, has held the role of President of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Women Judges, and is a member of multiple bar associations, including the Erie County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
- Beyond her judicial duties, Troutman has been active in promoting diversity and ethics in the legal profession.
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
New York Court of Appeals — Part 500 Rules of Practice
New York Court of Appeals
New York State Court of Appeals proceedings only; not federal appeals or Appellate Division 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 Appeals
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 Appeals
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 August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 22, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System official judicial roster ↗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 ↗