Civil Court Judge-Elect
When Bill Viscovich decided he wanted to be part of history and not simply an observer, he had no idea his decision would take him so far. An attorney for 21 years, he recently ran unopposed for 6th Municipal Civil Court District Judge. He is now the first elected official from Croatia.
Viscovich graduated from the University of Albany in 1983 and from Albany Law School in 1986. While in college, he worked for Congressmember Gary Ackerman to transform Fort Totten into a park.
He also worked for Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn in 1989 to write the state law that allows a victim of violent crime to address the judge and make a recommendation on the sentencing. After graduating, he worked at the Bronx County District Attorney’s office followed by two years working with the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Officer, never losing a trial.
However, his proudest achievement so far has been working with Mayersohn on changing a law so that every newborn is tested for HIV as opposed to the previous practice of randomly testing babies.
As judge, he hopes to make coming to court a more comfortable experience. “I want to make sure that decent services are provided, and that everyone receives a fair hearing,” said Viscovich. “We can’t guarantee that everyone will win, but want to make sure there are judges that listen, lawyers that provide good service and I want people to leave court saying that the court system works,” added the attorney.
He is a member of the New York State Advisory Council, Jefferson Democratic Club, FDR Democratic Club and the Stevenson Democratic Club. Viscovich has a private practice in Fresh Meadows and serves as counsel to the Queens County Clerk.
Viscovich, 46, is married to fellow attorney and grade school classmate Felicia Varlese. They have two children, Adam, 10, and Erica, 7 and resides in Whitestone.
