Jim Maisano Announces Bid for NYS Supreme Court Justice

Westchester County Legislator Jim Maisano announced on May 11 that he is running this November for New York State Supreme Court Justice for the 9th Judicial District includes Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Dutchess Counties. Maisano has served on the Westchester County Board of Legislators for the past 13 years representing New Rochelle and Pelham and currently serves as Minority Leader.

Maisano stated, “I have been committed to public service since I joined the Marine Corps in 1984 and continue to honor this commitment through my service as a County Legislator. I have deep respect for the powerful impact of the courts and judiciary on people’s lives. I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to the bench. My goal is to be a judge that exemplifies Thomas Jefferson’s important ideal that ‘the most sacred of the duties of a government is to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.’”

Throughout his service as a legislator, Maisano has also practiced law. In the past eight years, he has worked in the New York offices of two international law firms. He has been a counsel with Crowell & Moring LLP since 2007 practicing in the areas of commercial litigation, financial services and antitrust law. Maisano represents clients in a wide range of federal, state and local litigation and arbitration actions with cases dealing with business, real estate and financial institution issues. Before Crowell & Moring, he practiced commercial litigation, financial services, real estate, negligence and government relations at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney (2003-2007). He practiced law in New Rochelle as a sole practitioner in commercial litigation, real estate, negligence and criminal defense matters (1995-2003); with an insurance defense firm (1994-1995); and a commercial litigation firm (1992-1994). He was also a small claims court arbitrator in the New Rochelle City Court (1996-2003).

Maisano continued, “My experience in both small and large law firms, along with government and military service, provides me with a diverse and broad-based background. I am used to addressing real-world problems that people face every day, as well as litigating complex corporate business disputes. I will bring this lifetime of experience to the courtroom each day and be a firm, fair and empathetic judge.”

He was re-elected to his seventh term on the Board of Legislators in 2009. First elected in 1997, Maisano has held various leadership positions, including: Republican Minority Leader (2003, 2010); Republican Minority Whip (2002, 2008, 2009); Co-Chair, Rules Committee (2003); Chair, Public Works Committee (2000-2001); and Chair, Intergovernmental Relations Committee (2004-2005). He has also served on the Legislation, Environment, Families and Labor Committees.

Maisano served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1984 to 1988 during which time he received several awards and commendations. He worked as a landing support specialist in embarkation and logistics, trained and supervised other Marines and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.

Maisano earned a B.A. in history and political science from City University of New York at Hunter College in 1989. In 1992, he received a J.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, where he gave the student commencement speech. Maisano graduated from Iona Prep in New Rochelle in 1981.

He lives with his wife Jean and son Michael in New Rochelle with their dogs Oakley and Marlee. Jean works as a fund raising and communications consultant for nonprofit agencies in Westchester. The Maisano family attends Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Rochelle.