---
title: "Walter B. Debow | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/walter-b-debow"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Walter B. Debow

Albany County Court of Claims · Court of Claims Judge

## Profile

- Court: Albany County Court of Claims
- State: New York
- Role: Court of Claims Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- 2014–present: Judge, New York State Court of Claims, Saratoga County the biographical record
- 2006–2014: Judge, New York State Court of Claims, Albany County the biographical record
- Licensed to practice law in Georgia (1994) and New York (1995) the biographical record
- is a New York State Court of Claims judge with a long career in both judicial service and state government legal work

### Education

- Emory University School of Law the biographical record — J.D. (1994)
- B.A., State University of New York at Albany, 1991 the biographical record

### Additional information

- Appointed to this position by former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2014
- , appointed by former Governor George Pataki in 2006
- 1995–1997: Home Rule Counsel - 1997–1999: Assistant Counsel - 1999–2003: Senior Assistant Counsel - 2003–2006: Deputy Counsel
- Judge Walter B. (W. Brooks) DeBow — Biography
- Before becoming a judge, DeBow spent
- Began his tenure as part of the gubernatorial transition team when Governor George Pataki was elected
- , Judge Walter B. DeBow’s career blends high-level state government legal service with judicial leadership in New York’s Court of Claims, reflecting both policy expertise and legal acumen.
- The New York Court of Claims handles claims against the state, among them those for damages, contracts, and torts.
- 12 years in the Office of the Governor of New York
- Albany County Bar Association
- Saratoga County Bar Association
- In summary

## 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

### courtroom technology

Scope: courtwide

The New York Court of Claims publishes courtroom evidence-presentation technology, including document/photo/object/video presentation and laptop connections in specified courtrooms.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/court-claims/courtroom-technology)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### 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://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/JudicialDirectory)
- [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/JudicialDirectory)
- [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/JudicialDirectory)
- [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)
- [Court of Claims Courtroom Technology](https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/court-claims/courtroom-technology)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [22 NYCRR Part 206 — Uniform Rules Court Claims](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/ny-shared-set-319c3a2b568bb82e1cf6) — Court of Claims actions and proceedings [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-206-uniform-rules-court-claims). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-99a7824bb8e009643f842c03) — 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](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). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34fe480ab82f22fa3c31d257) — 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](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). Collected 2026-07-26.
