Hon. Michelle A. Johnson has been appointed as the Administrative Judge for the Queens County Supreme Court’s Criminal Term following the elevation of Justice Donna-Marie Golia to the Appellate Division, Second Department.
Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George announced the appointment on Wednesday, Oct. 2, with the approval of Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson and in consultation with Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle.
“Justice Johnson is a distinguished member of New York’s bench, known for her steadfast commitment to justice and fair and measured decision-making approach,” said Chief Administrative Judge Zayas. “Her intimate knowledge of court operations, coupled with her outstanding leadership skills, will aid her in her new role and be an asset to the Queens County Supreme Court’s Criminal Term and those it serves.”
First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge St. George also expressed confidence in Johnson’s capabilities. “Justice Michelle Johnson is a superb choice to assume the vital role of Administrative Judge in one of the nation’s busiest criminal courts. She possesses both the scope and depth of expertise and experience required of this highly challenging position,” said St. George. “I am eager to work with her in her new administrative capacity.”
Justice Johnson, who previously served as the Court’s interim Administrative Judge, expressed her gratitude for the appointment. “Words cannot truly express the depth of my gratitude for the trust that Chief Administrative Judge Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge St. George have placed in me to ensure that the most diverse borough in the United States remains the gold standard for the administration of justice,” said Johnson. “I recognize that I have big shoes to fill and am both honored and humbled to serve the Office of Court Administration and the residents of Queens County in this new role.”
Johnson began her judicial career as an interim New York City Civil Court judge in 2011, reappointed in 2012, and was appointed to the New York City Criminal Court in 2013. She became an acting Supreme Court Justice in 2016 and served as Supervising Judge of the Criminal Court in Queens County until her election to the State Supreme Court in 2021. Over her tenure, she has presided over thousands of cases, ranging from arraignment to trial, and authored over 100 legal decisions, many of which have been published.
Prior to joining the bench, Johnson managed a litigation-based law practice focusing on criminal defense, family law, and real estate transactions throughout New York City and Long Island. She also held roles at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, where she served as an assistant district attorney in the Homicide Bureau and later led the Felony Trial Bureau and School Crimes Bureau.
The new appointment takes effect immediately, following the distinguished tenure of Justice Golia, who served as Administrative Judge for two years before joining the Appellate Division. “We are immensely grateful to Justice Golia for her deft management…during which she shepherded initiatives to improve operations and step up the Court’s outreach efforts,” Judges Zayas and St. George stated, praising her leadership and contributions to Queens County.
