Governor Kathy Hochul has designated Justice Lisa Ottley as an Additional Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department, and Justice Christina Ryba as an Additional Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Department.
“Today, I’m strengthening New York’s Appellate Courts by announcing the designations of two women whose legal expertise, judicial temperament and commitment to justice will ensure New York’s laws are applied fairly and correctly,” Governor Hochul said. “With the appointment of Justice Ottley and Justice Ryba, our courts will continue to uphold the public trust and serve as places of integrity and justice for all New Yorkers.”
Justice Lisa S. Ottley has served as Associate Justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court in several districts since 2023. She presides over civil matters in Kings County Supreme Court and previously managed guardianship cases and both jury and non-jury trials from 2016 to 2023. Elected to Civil Court in 2008, she became Supervising Judge of Kings County Civil Court in 2010—the first African American judge appointed to that position there. Ottley is active on advisory committees and is involved with professional organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Justice Christina L. Ryba is noted as the first Black person elected to the Supreme Court in the Third Department and will be its first Black justice serving on its Appellate Division. Elected in 2015, she was named Administrative Judge for her district in May 2025 after serving as Supervising Judge. Her career includes roles such as Special Projects Counsel within state courts, Assistant Attorney General, attorney for Albany, and associate at Nixon Peabody. She holds leadership positions with various bar associations.
Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry commented on Ryba’s appointment: “On behalf of the Third Department, I thank Governor Hochul for this historic appointment. I have every confidence that Justice Ryba will continue to make great contributions to the judiciary and our community in this new and well deserved role. Justice Ryba brings a decade of judicial service as a Supreme Court Justice, and has demonstrated her commitment to fairness and justice throughout her career, notably serving as the Co-Chair of the court system’s Permanent Commission on Access to Justice. She has earned the respect of her colleagues by her work in both legal and administrative roles, as both the Supervising Judge and ultimately the Administrative Judge overseeing court operations for the entire Third Judicial District. We look forward to working with her in the years ahead!”
