Walter Rivera at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2031
Walter Rivera
Supreme Court Justice · Westchester County Supreme Court
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Biography
Professional career
- Current Position: Justice, Supreme Court of the State of New York, Westchester County (nominated June 4, 2025; confirmed June 10, 2025)
- Previous Judicial Role: Judge, New York State Court of Claims since 2017
- Judge, New York State Court of Claims, Westchester County, Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, 2017 to 2024
- Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, Adjunct Professor, 2017 to 2022
- Acting Judge, City Court, White Plains, Appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Roach, Jr., 2016 to 2017
- Town Justice, Greenburgh Town Court, Westchester County, Elected, 2015 to 2017
- College of Westchester, Adjunct Professor, 2015 to 2017
- Acting Judge, City Court, Yonkers, Appointed by Mayor Mike Spano, 2014 to 2017
- Private Law Practice, 1985 to 2017
- Town Justice, Greenburgh Town Court, Westchester County, Elected, 2011 to 2015
- NYS Office of the Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, 1981 to 1985
- NYS Unified Court System, NYS Court of Appeals, Law Clerk, 1979 to 1981
- Justice, Supreme Court, Westcheser County, Appointed
- Former Town Justice in Greenburgh, NY
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School — J.D. (1979)
- Columbia University — B.A. (1976)
Additional information
- Career Length: As of 2026, he has served about 16 years on the bench
- Featured in El Awards 2022 for contributions as a Latino judge and community leader
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
All Correspondence must only be sent via NYSCEF, unless otherwise directed by the Court. Do not send copies of e-filed correspondence to the Court via email or regular mail.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
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
Any ex-parte communication is strictly prohibited. Self-represented parties must not contact the Court’s Law Clerks and must direct all communications through the Part Clerk.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Except as set forth below, telephone calls to Chambers are permitted only in situations requiring immediate attention that cannot otherwise be obtained by correspondence via NYSCEF or by contacting the Part Clerk.
Source page 1Filing and working copies
Counsel and self-represented litigants shall familiarize themselves with the statewide E-Filing Rules (see 22 NYCRR § 202.5-b and 202.5-bb).
Source page 2Artificial intelligence
Submissions containing citations, quotations and/or analysis generated by artificial intelligence systems require independent verification that the quotations, citations and/or analysis utilized by the submitting party and/or their counsel are legitimate and correct.
Source page 2Artificial intelligence
Parties and counsel making any submission that relies on AI systems must review the entire submission for accuracy, relevance, and compliance with the applicable ethical rules. Sanctions may be imposed for the improper use of AI systems consistent with 22 NYCRR § 130-1.1.
Source page 2Artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Bots are not permitted under any circumstances in any proceeding.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
Counsel who appear before the Court must be familiar with the case and be fully authorized to enter into agreements on behalf of their clients. Counsel shall appear ready to discuss all matters, including settlement, at all scheduled appearances.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
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 telephone phone number of the adjuster assigned to the matter.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
Counsel are responsible for advising the Court as to whether accommodations are needed at least three (3) weeks in advance. For example, if a party or witness will require an interpreter or accommodation for a physical challenge, the Court must be notified at least three (3) weeks before an appearance of such party. If the request is not timely made, there is no guarantee that the accommodation can be provided.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
Upon assignment of a case to this Part following the filing of an RJI and Request for a Preliminary Conference, the Part Clerk will schedule a date for the Preliminary Conference. The proposed Preliminary Conference Order shall be completed and uploaded by the parties to NYSCEF at least two (2) weeks before the conference. The party who files the RJI shall advise all parties who are not participating in E-filing of the date for the preliminary conference in writing and submit proof of such notice via NYSCEF at least five (5) days before the preliminary conference. No modifications of the dates in the Preliminary Conference Order are permitted except by Order of the Court.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
If the proposed Preliminary Conference Order is acceptable to the Court, personal appearances will be waived, and a copy of the signed Preliminary Conference Order will be uploaded to NYSCEF in advance of the conference. All parties are responsible for providing parties not participating in E-filing with a copy of the signed Preliminary Conference Order.
Source page 3Discovery
All counsel and self-represented litigants are expected to abide by and comply with the Court’s discovery schedule and deadlines. The Preliminary Conference Order will also contain a date for a Compliance Conference.
Source page 3Filing and working copies
If the matter is ready for trial, the parties shall upload a proposed Trial Readiness Stipulation & Order to NYSCEF. A Note of Issue shall NOT be filed until a Trial Readiness Order has been issued by the Court.
Source page 3Motion practice
Readiness Order, which will also direct that Plaintiff serve and file the Note of Issue by a date set forth in the Trial Readiness Order. At the Trial Readiness Conference, counsel must be prepared to discuss settlement and to address whether they wish to file summary judgment motions.
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 settlement discussions. Counsel are presumed to have consented to the Court doing so unless an objection is stated.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
At least 48 hours before the Settlement Conference, each party shall upload the completed Settlement Conference Form to NYSCEF.
Source page 4Adjournments
Adjournments of conferences may be requested on consent of opposing counsel. After obtaining such consent, the requesting party shall upload the adjournment request to NYSCEF and email it to the Part Clerk. The parties are reminded that, pursuant to Section III, Rule C of the Westchester Supreme Court Civil Case Management Rules, request for adjournments of a Preliminary Conference, when practicable, “shall be made at least two (2) business days before the scheduled conference and shall include two (2) proposed alternative dates for rescheduling the conference, which dates shall be no later than one (1) month following the scheduled virtual [or in person] preliminary conference.”
Source page 4Adjournments
Requests for adjournments of motions must be emailed to the Motion Support Part at motionsupportwestchester@nycourts.gov. All applications for adjournments of motions must set forth: 1) the reason why an adjournment is necessary; 2) whether the opposing party(ies) consent(s) or object(s) to the application; and 3) the length of the adjournment sought or, if on consent, a date all parties are available. When requesting an adjournment of a motion, the letter request shall include the current date of any motion returnable and contact information for all parties. The parties are reminded that pursuant to Section IV, Rule D of the Westchester Supreme Court Civil Case Management Rules, “the return date for any motion, whether pre- Note of Issue, or post-Note of Issue, including motions for summary judgment and other substantive motions, and discovery related motions, once made, may not be adjourned more than three (3) times, and such return date may not be adjourned for more than a total of sixty (60) days.”
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
If the Court schedules a virtual appearance, the parties shall use the link provided by the Part Clerk.
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
2. A witness and counsel must be visible on the screen while under oath during a virtual court proceeding, whether they are together in the same room or in separate physical locations.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
8. Prior to engaging in any private communication with his/her client during a virtual court proceeding, counsel must first announce an intention to do so.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
9. All electronic devices that are not being used to communicate with the Court must be placed on mute or turned off.
Source page 5Trial exhibits and witnesses
10. Counsel, parties and witnesses must be aware that all Teams messaging is public and persistent in that it is never erased.
Source page 5Motion practice
In lieu of discovery motion practice, it is the policy of the Court to make itself and its staff available to resolve disputes related to pretrial discovery. Therefore, no discovery motion is to be made by any party unless authorized or directed by the Court. Instead, counsel must upload a letter to NYSCEF to advise of the nature of the dispute and the efforts that have been made toward resolution. The Court will resolve the issue by letter endorsed order or by scheduling a conference to address same.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
Exception: Where an Order of Protection prohibits one party from contacting another party, the party who believes that discovery is not being complied with shall contact Chambers without contacting the opposing party.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
Counsel or a self-represented litigant who believes that discovery is not being conducted in accordance with the Court’s directives is to discuss, in good faith, as required by 22 NYCRR § 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 and/or a self-represented litigant, either telephonically or in writing, regarding the claimed failure to engage in discovery and the claimed noncompliance or reason therefor.
Source page 5Discovery
Counsel are expected to abide by 22 NYCRR § 221.1 which prohibits, except in certain instances, directing a witness not to answer a question at a deposition. Rulings concerning disputed objections may be obtained by calling the Court at (914) 824-5250 from the deposition.
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
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
Source page 5Motion practice
2. Motions are returnable on Wednesdays. All motions will be decided by submission. There will be no appearances on a motion’s return date unless specifically stated by the Court.
Source page 6Motion practice
6. Motion papers must be accompanied by proof of payment of any required fee to the County Clerk.
Source page 6Motion practice
7. Motion papers are limited to Moving Papers, Opposing Papers, and Reply (except that reply papers are not permitted on Orders to Show Cause without Court approval).
Source page 6Motion practice
8. Motion papers shall also comply with 22 NYCRR § 202.8 (c), which requires that “[a]ffidavits shall be for a statement of the relevant facts, and briefs shall be for a statement of the relevant law.” Legal argument shall not be advanced by way of sworn statement.
Source page 6Motion practice
9. Original initiating motion papers should be uploaded to NYSCEF.
Source page 6Communications with chambers
10. The Court does not accept sur-reply papers or correspondence on motions, nor any papers filed after the final submission date of the motion without court approval.
Source page 6Filing and working copies
11. Multiple documents shall not be grouped together as a single exhibit. Each exhibit shall contain only a single document and be separately uploaded to NYSCEF.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
12. Exhibits shall be specifically referenced in the papers, or they will not be considered.
Source page 6Motion practice
13. Motions brought pursuant to CPLR 3211 or 3212 DO NOT stay discovery.
Source page 6Motion practice
14. Counsel shall immediately notify the Court when a motion becomes moot.
Source page 6Motion practice
15. All motions by counsel seeking to be relieved must be made by Order to Show Cause and include a proposed order. 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 6Motion practice
Summary Judgment motions must be made within sixty (60) days of the filing of the Note of Issue, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
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 their
Source page 6Motion practice
The parties are reminded that, in accordance with Section IV, Rule F of the Westchester Supreme Court Civil Case Management Rules, a summary judgment motion will not be deemed timely if denominated as a cross-motion. In addition, the failure of a party to serve and file a motion or cross-motion within the sixty (60)-day time period shall result in the denial of the motion or cross-motion as untimely.
Source page 7Motion practice
Any motions seeking to exclude potential evidence shall be made in writing and shall be returnable at least three (3) days in advance of the trial unless the Court directs otherwise. Failure to bring the matter before the Court in a timely fashion may result in the denial of such motion.
Source page 7Filing and working copies
Where the Court issues a Bench Decision following a non-jury trial and a party desires a written Decision and Order, the party shall upload, a proposed order to NYSCEF together with the transcript of the proceedings at which the Bench Decision was rendered to be “So Ordered.”
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
Orders, judgments, counter-orders and/or counter-judgments submitted for signature on notice may be returned unsigned and/or otherwise rejected by the Court unless an Affidavit of Service and Notice of Settlement for a date designated in accordance with 22 NYCRR § 202.48 is annexed thereto.
Source page 7Motion practice
An Order to Show Cause submitted for signature must be uploaded to NYSCEF after the payment of any required fee at the County Clerk’s Office. If an Order to Show Cause seeks temporary injunctive relief, counsel for the moving party or a self-represented moving party must demonstrate compliance with the notice requirements of Rule 202.7 (f) of the Uniform Rules for the Trial Courts. A conference on the request for a Temporary Restraining Order, if required, will be conducted by the Court at a date and time set by the Court.
Source page 7Motion practice
A briefing schedule will be provided on the signed Order to Show Cause. No cross motion will be accepted absent prior permission of the Court or as specified in the Order to Show Cause. If appearances are required on the return date of the motion, the Court will so
Source page 7Motion practice
indicate in the signed Order to Show Cause. Otherwise, no appearances are required, and no oral argument will be heard on the return date of the motion.
Source page 8Trial exhibits and witnesses
Prior to the commencement of a hearing or trial, counsel and any self-represented party must ascertain the availability of all witnesses and subpoenaed documents.
Source page 8Filing and working copies
On the date of the commencement of the Trial, the parties shall upload to NYSCEF: 1) pre-trial memoranda of law compliant with 22 NYCRR § 202.20-h (a),
Source page 8Filing and working copies
For proposed jury charges, unless a deviation from the pattern charge is sought, only the PJI numbers and topics need be submitted. If a deviation is sought, counsel shall upload the full text of the proposed charge to NYSCEF, together with the legal memorandum supported by case law.
Source page 8Filing and working copies
After filing the appropriate submissions with the Court, counsel shall meet with the assigned Court Reporter to pre-mark all exhibits for identification. Any exhibits whose admission is agreed to by the parties will be pre-marked for admission into evidence by the Court (see 22 NYCRR § 202.34).
Source page 8Trial exhibits and witnesses
If any part of a transcript of an examination before trial will be read as evidence-in- chief, the proponent of the transcript must provide a complete copy of it to the Court and all other counsel and/or self-represented parties at least two (2) business days in advance, including citations to the page and line numbers for all portions to be read, so that all objections may be addressed by the Court prior to the proposed reading.
Source page 8Filing and working copies
For non-jury trials, in accordance with the schedule set by the Court at the conclusion of the trial, counsel for the parties shall jointly upload a transcript of the proceeding to NYSCEF, and each party must prepare a post-trial memorandum and upload it to NYSCEF, unless the Court has issued a Bench Decision or directed otherwise.
Source page 9Filing and working copies
At the conclusion of the trial, counsel and any self-represented party shall upload any exhibits admitted into evidence and any other document required to complete the record for purposes of any appeal to NYSCEF. In addition, all materials used during the trial must be removed from the courtroom within 48 hours of the conclusion of trial. All materials not timely removed will be discarded.
Source page 9Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Westchester 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
Westchester 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
Westchester 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
Westchester 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 ↗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 ↗