Stephanie Saunders at a glance
- Current role
- Court of Claims Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2030
Stephanie Saunders
Court of Claims Judge · Erie County Court of Claims
Biography
Professional career
- Judge New York State Court of Claims Reappointed by Governor Kathy Hochul 2024 to 2033
- Judge Stephanie A. Saunders is a New York State Court of Claims judge for Erie County, appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022 and reappointed for a term through 2033
- Judge, New York State Court of Claims, Erie County, Appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul, 2022 to 2024
- New York State Unified Court System, Principal Law Clerk, 2016 to 2022
- Barclay Damon (formerly Hiscock & Barclay), Associate Attorney, 2002 to 2006
- Her appointment to the Court of Claims followed her role as Principal Law Clerk, which Justice Ogden encouraged her to pursue as a judgeship
Education
- J.D. — State University of New York at Buffalo Law — 2000
- Syracuse University — B.A. (1981)
Additional information
- In 2024, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award for Community Service from the University at Buffalo School of Law
- Buffalo Board of Education, Assistant Legal Counsel, 2014 to 2016
- Kaleida Health, Director of Medical Affairs, 2006 to 2014
- A Buffalo native, Saunders completed studies at Kensington High School and has credited her family for instilling values of dignity and respect that guide her judicial approach.
- She has been a mentor to others, advising aspiring lawyers to believe in themselves, prioritize mental health, and value relationships University at Buffalo School of Law
- Judge Saunders has volunteered with the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Erie County Bar Association, American Red Cross, and Minority Bar Association.
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 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Erie County Court of Claims
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-2722 NYCRR Part 202 — Uniform Civil Rules Supreme Court And County Court
Erie County Court of Claims
Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Erie County 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
Erie County 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 2, 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 ↗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 ↗