Thomas P. Zugibe at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2029
Thomas P. Zugibe
Supreme Court Justice · Rockland County Supreme Court
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Biography
Professional career
- Justice, New York Supreme Court, Rockland County, New City, NY, 2019-2032
- Justice, New York Supreme Court, Putnam County, NY, 2019-2032
- District Attorney, Rockland County District Attorney, NY, 2008-2018
- Commissioner/Deputy Attorney General, Moreland Commission for Public Corruption, 2013-2014
- Village Justice, New York Town and Village Justice Courts, Village of West Haverstraw, West Haverstraw, NY, 1989-2007
Education
- Saint Johns University — J.D. (1979)
- Manhattan College — B.A. (1975)
Additional information
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 ↗
Statewide
In New York Supreme Court and County Court civil cases, the court may require indexed trial exhibit binders, notebooks, or electronic equivalents for the court, counsel, and witnesses.
The court may direct that on the first day of trial or at such other time as the court may set, counsel shall submit an indexed binder or notebook, or the electronic equivalent, of trial exhibits for the court's use.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Statewide
Civil trial counsel in New York Supreme Court and County Court must confer before trial and attempt to agree on exhibits to be offered without objection, unless the court directs otherwise.
Counsel for the parties shall consult prior to trial and shall in good faith attempt to agree upon the exhibits that will be offered into evidence without objection.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
For Commercial Division matters, New York rules encourage Virtual Evidence Courtrooms for managing and presenting trial evidence after authorization by request or court direction.
Virtual Evidence Courtrooms (VECs) may be used to facilitate real-time access to trial exhibits and other relevant documents.Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗
Statewide
For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements.
For all hybrid proceedings, all electronic appearances shall be projected in the physical courtroom in which the in-person portion of the proceeding is taking place in such a manner as to provide a reasonable opportunity for members of the public to view and hear the participants appearing electronically.Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗
Published courtroom rules
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (57 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Communications with chambers
Correspondence: All correspondence to the Court must be sent ONLY via NYSCEF, unless otherwise directed by the Court. DO NOT send copies of e-filed correspondence to the Court via e-mail or regular mail. DO NOT e-file correspondence between and among counsel and/or self- represented litigants, and DO NOT send a copy to the Court. Correspondence must bear the full Title and Index Number of the action. It shall be concise and state the relief sought or the action requested to be taken by the Court.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Telephone Calls: Except as set forth below (see Section III.F. Discovery Disputes), telephone calls to Chambers are permitted only in situations requiring immediate attention that cannot otherwise be obtained by correspondence, or by contacting the Part Clerk.
Source page 1Filing and working copies
Counsel and self-represented litigants shall familiarize themselves with both the statewide E-Filing Rules2 (22 NYCRR §§ 202.5-b and 202.5bb) and the Rockland County E-Filing Protocol.
Source page 1Filing and working copies
General questions about e-filing should be addressed to the E-Filing Resource Center3. Specific questions about local procedures should be addressed to the Chief Clerk’s Office4.
Source page 1Filing and working copies
All documents in mandatory e-filed cases, except documents subject to the opt-out provision of 22 NYCRR § 202.5-bb, or documents subject to e-filing in which consent is being withheld, are to be filed through the New York State Courts E-Filing System (NYSCEF). All submissions to the Court must be electronically filed.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
This part does not require working copies. Should the Court require them, counsel will be notified. Hard copy submissions in e-filed cases will be rejected unless they bear the Notice of Hard Copy Submission - E-Filed Case required by 22 NYCRR 202.5-b(d)(1)(b).
Source page 2Adjournments
A request to adjourn a conference must be made in writing and filed to NYSCEF. For non- NYSCEF cases, a request for an adjournment must be made by mail or email to the Part Clerk, with the Assistant Law Clerk copied, to be received at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the scheduled conference5.
Source page 2Adjournments
All applications for adjournments must set forth: (1) the reason for the adjournment; (2) whether the opposing party consents or objects to the application; (3) the length of the adjournment sought or, if on consent, a date all parties are available; and (4) the number of prior adjournment requests and corresponding dates. All adjournment requests must be made on notice to all counsel and self- represented parties.
Source page 2Adjournments
Opposing counsel or a self-represented party may succinctly provide their reasons for objecting to the requested adjournment if opposing counsel believes that their position has been stated incorrectly. No further communication concerning the request for adjournment will be permitted.
Source page 2Adjournments
The Part Clerk or Chambers will advise the requesting party whether the adjournment is granted. The parties should not assume that the request has been granted unless specifically advised by the Court.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
Counsel scheduled to appear before this Court and another Court must communicate that fact to the Part Clerk prior to the date of appearance so that counsel’s conflicting appearances can
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
Only counsel (or self-represented parties) who are fully familiar with a case and authorized to enter into binding agreements on all aspects of the case are to appear for conferences6 In matrimonial actions, litigants must appear with their counsel for all conferences unless the Court excuses such appearance.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
Preliminary Conferences: The Court will schedule a Preliminary Conference within forty-five (45) days after a Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) has been filed on a matter. The requesting party will be notified by the Part Clerk as to the date and time. The requesting party must advise all other parties of such date and time.
Source page 3Discovery
All counsel and self-represented litigants are expected to abide by and comply with the Court’s discovery schedule and deadlines. No modifications of the dates set by the Court are permitted except by order of the Court.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
In all matters except contested matrimonial actions, if both parties are represented by Counsel, physical appearance at the preliminary conference will be waived if a completed Proposed Preliminary Conference Order signed by counsel for all parties is received by the Court no later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled conference date7.
Source page 3Motion practice
Parties who have a discovery dispute are not to wait until the compliance conference to bring such dispute to the Court’s attention. Pursuant to 22 NYCRR 202.7, if counsel believes discovery is not being conducted accordingly, they must pursue meaningful dialogue with opposing counsel. Parties are not to make any motion concerning discovery without first attempting to resolve the issue. If counsel cannot resolve the issue, then counsel who finds fault is to contact the Court, the nature of the dispute and failed efforts made to resolve it. No discovery motion is to be made by any party unless authorized or directed by the Court.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
Discovery disputes: Counsel (or self-represented litigant) who believes that discovery is not being conducted in accordance with the Court’s Order is to discuss, in good faith, as required by Court Rule § 202.7, the claimed noncompliance with opposing counsel or self-represented litigant. A pro forma letter does not constitute a good faith effort. There must be actual substantive communication between counsel, either telephonically or in writing, regarding the claimed failure to engage in discovery and the claimed noncompliance or reason for noncompliance.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
6 This means that counsel for the plaintiff(s) must be prepared to make a settlement demand and counsel for the defendant(s) must be prepared to respond to the demand. And, where a party is being indemnified by an insurer, appearing counsel must be able to advise the Court of the applicable policy limits afforded to the defendant as well as the name, claim number, and phone number of the adjuster assigned to the matter.
Source page 3Discovery
Compliance Conference, the Court will ensure that discovery proceeded as scheduled. The Court may conduct a settlement conference at this time. See Section G infra. If the matter is ready for trial, the Court will direct that a Note of Issue be filed. Counsel shall not file a Note of Issue until directed by the Court. Parties who have a discovery dispute MUST NOT wait until the next Compliance Conference to bring such dispute or complaint about non-disclosure to the Court’s attention. Such parties shall comply with the procedures set forth below in Section F -- Discovery Disputes.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
Settlement Conferences: Counsel attending the Settlement Conference must be fully familiar with the action and authorized to discuss all factual and legal issues presented by the litigation, settlement demands or offers, witness scheduling, and trial procedure – including, for example, whether any party or witness will require a translator or accommodation for a physical challenge.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
Counsel must be authorized to enter into binding settlements on terms agreeable to the parties and to the Court.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
In all cases where a party is being indemnified by an insurer, appearing counsel must be able to advise the Court of the applicable policy limits afforded to the defendant as well as the name, claim number and phone number of the adjuster assigned to the matter. In a proper case, the Court may contact the claims adjuster by telephone or direct that the claims adjuster shall appear for a conference.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
Counsel are advised that, in an effort to foster open settlement discussions, the Court may meet with counsel separately during the discussions. Counsel are presumed to have consented to the Court doing so unless an objection is stated.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
A pre-trial conference with all counsel and self-represented parties will be conducted before the commencement of jury selection or of the non-jury trial. If not previously provided, on or before the pre-trial conference, counsel and self-represented parties must provide the Court via
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
a. A complete list of requested jury charges drawn from the Pattern Jury Instructions (“PJI”) of the then-current year. Requests to charge must be submitted in writing and by email in Microsoft Word format to either the Court’s Principal or Assistant Court Attorney. Where the requested charge comes directly from the PJI, only the title, section, and page numbers need to be provided. Where deviations from, or additions to the PJI are requested, the full text of such requests highlighting the deviations must be submitted together with any supporting legal authority;
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
b. A proposed verdict sheet, jointly prepared by all parties, typewritten and in final form for presentation to the jury shall be submitted. If an agreement cannot be reached between and among the parties as to the questions to be posed to the jury prior to the pre-trial conference following a diligent and good faith effort, each party will present a proposed verdict sheet which will be served upon all the parties. Proposed verdict sheets must be submitted in writing and by email in Microsoft Word format to either the Court’s Principal or Assistant Court Attorneys;
Source page 5Motion practice
c. Written motions in limine must be made returnable on the day of the pre-trial conference. Such motions must be made no less than seven (7) days’ notice to opposing counsel and/or self-represented parties. It is the Court’s intention to decide such motions prior to commencement of trial.
Source page 5Motion practice
Parties may move by notice of motion or order to show cause, depending on the exigency of the relief sought8. All motions and cross-motions in matrimonial actions and applications by counsel seeking to be relieved9 must be made by order to show cause10. Any proposed order to show cause shall include a space for the Court to set forth a briefing schedule for opposition papers, reply papers, and, if necessary, an appearance date.
Source page 5Motion practice
Except in e-filed cases, proposed orders to show cause submitted for consideration must include an email address to permit a conformed copy of the signed orders to be sent to the movant. Written applications by notice of motion (or notice of petition) must be made returnable on any Friday the Court is in session.
Source page 5Motion practice
No oral argument will be scheduled unless directed by the Court. Parties seeking oral argument can request it by writing “Oral Argument Requested” above the index number on the first page of the submitted papers. Parties will be notified if the Court grants such request.
Source page 6Motion practice
Except by the Court’s permission, all motion papers and proposed orders to show cause must be typed (12-point), double-spaced, securely bound, and fully legible. All exhibits must be labeled with external tab markings. Plaintiffs shall designate exhibits by number, and defendants shall designate exhibits by letter. Exhibit numbering or lettering may not begin anew for subsequent papers submitted by the same party.
Source page 6Motion practice
For all e-filed motions, all exhibits must be separately e-filed, and may not be submitted as one collective exhibit. Exhibits failing to comply may not be considered by, and may be rejected by the Court. Deposition/examination-before-trial transcripts included as exhibits must be single, front-faced pages only. Parties may submit four-per-page minuscripts.
Source page 6Motion practice
Must be made within sixty (60) days of the filing of the note of issue unless the Court has said otherwise. Service of a notice of motion under rule 3211, 3212, or section 3213 stays disclosure until determination of the motion unless the court orders otherwise.
Source page 6Motion practice
Unsigned deposition transcripts will not be considered on motions for summary judgment unless it is demonstrated that the transcript was forwarded to the deponent for his/her review and signature in compliance with CPLR 3116(a).
Source page 6Filing and working copies
Unless we specifically request it, we do not require the submission of Statements of Material Fact.
Source page 6Motion practice
Absent circumstances in which significant prejudice (said prejudice set forth in detail in a supporting affidavit/affirmation) will result, opposing counsel are to be advised at least twenty- four (24) hours in advance of the date and time that any proposed order to show cause which includes a request for a temporary restraining order is being presented to the Court. The Court has the discretion to dispense with the twenty-four (24) hour notice requirement.
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
Orders, judgments, counter-orders and/or counter-judgments submitted for signature on notice will be returned unsigned unless an affidavit of service and notice of settlement for a date designated in accordance with 22 NYCRR § 202.48 has been included.
Source page 7Adjournments
Counsel must notify the Court by email, with copy to the Part Clerk, of the settlement or withdrawal of any action or proceeding immediately upon such settlement or withdrawal. A copy of the signed stipulation of discontinuance which has, or will be submitted to the County Clerk, shall be submitted to the Part Clerk so that the matter may be marked disposed.
Source page 7Motion practice
Motions: All motions must include a proposed order which disposes of the motion or application for the Court’s signature. The motion templates mandated for residential foreclosure cases statewide where the homeowner has defaulted must be used.
Source page 7Motion practice
Substitution of Referee: Requests to substitute a Referee shall be made by letter to the Court, not by formal motion.
Source page 7Motion practice
Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale: All proposed Judgments of Foreclosure and Sale submitted to the Court shall comply with the form set forth in the motion templates. And must include public notice of time and sale will be made in the journal news.
Source page 7Adjournments
Discontinuance: Where an agreement has been reached to modify a loan, the parties should submit a stipulation discontinuing the action.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
Counsel must be familiar, and comply, with the provisions of 22 NYCRR § 202.16. Prior to the Preliminary Conference, the parties are required to file and exchange those documents set forth in 22 NYCRR § 202.16(f)(1), including Net Worth Statements, pay stubs, W-2 statements, tax returns and statements of accounts.
Source page 7Adjournments
In the event either party fails to comply with this provision of the Part Rules, the Court may adjourn the conference and assess costs and fees against the party who failed to comply. If both sides fail to comply, the Court may deem such non-compliance to be a withdrawal of the request for a conference and cancel same, requiring payment of a second fee or the Court may treat the
Source page 7Communications with chambers
Counsel must have substantive communications before the date set for the preliminary conference, either in person or telephonically, to determine the issues to be litigated. The scope of discovery shall be discussed at the conference so that the Court can determine if the requested items are necessary and/or to set dates for compliance with the demands. Counsel must inform their clients of the automatic orders created by DRL § 236(B)(2)(b) as soon as the attorney-client relationship is formed.
Source page 8Conferences and appearances
Parties to matrimonial actions are to appear at all matrimonial conferences unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Source page 8Motion practice
All motions in matrimonial actions must be made by proposed order to show cause, even post-judgment applications. Both parties and counsel must appear on the return date set forth in the order.
Source page 8Motion practice
On the return date of any pendente lite motion, the Court will conduct either a preliminary conference or conference on the motion, as appropriate. In the event a Bench Decision is issued on the motion, a copy of the transcript will be ordered by the Court, the cost of which will be shared by the parties unless otherwise ordered.
Source page 8Filing and working copies
Parties must file via NYSCEF the following documents in advance of the pre-trial
Source page 9Trial exhibits and witnesses
(1) Marked pleadings; (2) A fully executed stipulation of relevant facts that are not in dispute; (3) An exhibit list and pre-marked exhibits i Copies of all exhibits intended to be offered must be presented to the Court in a ringed notebook with a table of contents, with the plaintiff’s exhibits numbered and the defendant’s exhibits lettered in the order in which they are generally intended to be used with external tabs separating each exhibit.
Source page 9Conferences and appearances
ii Counsel must exchange their notebooks with proposed exhibits at least seven (7) business days prior to the Settlement Conference. Counsel must either stipulate to the admission of the exhibits to be offered by the adverse parties or state the ground of any objection to admission of any such exhibit.
Source page 9Trial exhibits and witnesses
iii Counsel must be prepared to argue to the Court the admissibility of any exhibits to which objection is taken. Counsel must stipulate to the admission of exhibits to be offered by the adverse parties to the extent possible;
Source page 9Conferences and appearances
Where a stipulation of settlement or settlement agreement is being incorporated into the judgment of divorce, all the provisions of the stipulation or agreement must not be copied into the proposed judgment of divorce or the findings of fact and conclusions of law. Only those provisions required by the form proposed Judgment of Divorce and/or Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law should be repeated from the Stipulation or Agreement.
Source page 10Filing and working copies
Working Copies are not required. Submit a letter referencing all e-filed materials. Deficiencies in the papers must be cured by the date in the Court notice or the matter will be dismissed (without prejudice to refiling on proper papers).
Source page 10Conferences and appearances
Interpreters: In the event a translator or interpreter is required at trial, counsel shall notify the Part Clerk no later than the pre-trial conference so that timely and appropriate arrangements can be made.
Source page 10Trial exhibits and witnesses
Use of Recording at Trial or Hearing: To allow the Court to rule on the admissibility of a recording at trial or hearing, any party intending to use a recording is to submit a copy of the recording and transcript of the proceedings, if applicable, to the Court at least three (3) weeks prior to the scheduled trial or hearing date. Any proposed objections to the recording must be submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled trial or hearing date.
Source page 11Adjournments
Counsel must notify the Part Clerk by email of the settlement or withdrawal of any action or proceeding immediately upon such settlement or withdrawal. A copy of the signed Stipulation of Discontinuance which has been (or will be) submitted to the County Clerk shall be submitted to the Part Clerk so that the matter may be marked disposed. In those cases where a party is obligated to make payments over time, the parties shall file a Stipulation of Discontinuance without prejudice. The Court will not allow counsel to hold the Stipulation of Discontinuance until all payments are made.
Source page 11Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Rockland County Supreme Court
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
Rockland County Supreme Court
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
Rockland County Supreme Court
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
Rockland County Supreme Court
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 ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 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 ↗Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗